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City of Alma E-Newsletter 
News that's important for you! 
September 2014 
School starts
September 2nd


Please drive carefully and watch for kids

Pine Avenue Traffic Study

The City of Alma and Alma Public Schools have received the final recommendations from MidWestern Consulting LLC regarding traffic safety on Pine Avenue. The recommendations include:  
  1. Narrow the width of the through lanes to 11 feet.
  2. Remove the two-way-left turn lane between Washington Avenue and the south High School parking entrance driveway.
  3. Allow parking on the west side of Pine Avenue from Washington Avenue to the south High School parking lot entrance driveway.
  4. Designate bicycle lanes on each side of Pine Avenue and "share the road" designations along the entire length.
  5. Increase the posted speed limit along Pine Avenue to 30 mph between Warwick Drive and Cheesman Road.
  6. Extend a new sidewalk along Pine Avenue Elementary School parent parking lot to cross Washington Avenue west of the parking lot driveway, and then designate a mid-block crosswalk across Washington Avenue.
  7. Remove the Pine Avenue crosswalk at Warwick and replace it with a mid-block crosswalk, median refuge island and flashing beacon north of the Warwick Drive intersection aligned with the High School sidewalk.
  8. Increase police visibility by patrolling traffic using a brightly colored and obvious police vehicle with exposed lighting and plain visible markings. Create a police vehicle parking refuge area adjacent to the mid-block pedestrian crossing north of the Warwick Drive intersection. 

Public meetings will be scheduled for mid-October to review the plan with concerned parents and citizens.  To read the completed report, please follow this link. 

Construction Update
 
City Manager Moore has prepared an in-depth report on the city's construction projects.  For a look at that report, please follow the link.
Attention All Parents!

Do you need a reliable method for transporting your kids back and forth to school or other activities?  Consider Dial-A-Ride!  DART has provided rides for kids from preschool to high school for over 30 years.  Purchase prepaid ticket books and receive a discount.  Call 463-6016 for more information and to schedule your child's transportation needs.
Taxes Due September 15th

 

Property owners are reminded that property taxes are due by 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 15, 2014. Taxes paid after September 15th will be subject to a 4% penalty



Join us Saturday, September 6th for an exciting day of cyclocross racing right here in Alma.  The race will the held at the "old airport" sight, east of Bridge Ave. with races beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The 2014 Alma Grand Prix of Cyclocross is slated to kick of the Tailwind Series of Cyclocross races and promises to be an exciting day of racing.  For more information, check our their Facebook page or blog.

Lucky MacDuck Day

Lucky MacDuck Logo  

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 6, 2014 for the 13th 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!

 

New this year will be a euchre tournament on Friday night at the Alma Public Library.  Registration is $10 and must be made by 5:45 on September 5th.  All proceeds will benefit the Pine River Arts Council.  For more information, call Heather at (989)533-1975. 

 

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!

 

Red Cross Blood Drives     

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

 

Tuesday, September 2:  noon - 5:45 p.m.

Ithaca Community Center     

 

Monday, September 8: 2:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m

Wheeler Free Methodist Church 

 

Monday, September 15:  11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Alma College Stone Rec Center 

 

Thursday, September 25: noon - 5:45 p.m.  

St. Louis Church of Christ 

 

To schedule your appointment, you may call 1-800-Red-Cross, 989-463-3209 or visit www.redcrossblood.org. 
Water Conservation Tips
  • If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.

  • Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
  • Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

 

DART Saturday Service is Back! 

Service runs the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Same fares as daytime on weekdays.  On demand by phone or call in advance at 463-6016.  

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Issue: 66   

 
 
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City of Alma

In This Issue
Pine Ave. Traffic Study
Construction Update
Cheap Transportation!
Red Cross
DON'T FORGET!

City of Alma offices/services closings: 

  

Labor Day:
9/1/14

Thanksgiving:
11/27/14
11/28/14

Christmas:
12/24/14
12/25/14

City of Alma Officials:

 

Mayor

 

Vice-Mayor

 

Commissioner
 
Commissioner 

 

 Commissioner

 

Commissioner

Nick Piccolo
Commissioner

 

City Manager
(989-463-8336

 

Aeric Ripley
Asst. City Manager/  DDA Director
(989)463-8336

 

Public Safety Director
(989)463-8317

 

Public Services Director
(989)463-8346

 

City Clerk
(989)463-8336

 

City Assessor
(989)463-8356

 

Building Inspector
(989)463-8356

 

Finance Director
(989)463-8346

 

Transportation Services Director
(989)463-6016

 

Library Director
(989)463-3966

 

Controller
(989)463-8346
  
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
  
Emergency
911
City of Alma
525 E. Superior St., PO Box 278
Alma, MI 48801-0278
(989)463-8336