City of Alma E-Newsletter

News that's important for you!

June 2016

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.

Annual Sidewalk Replacement Program

This year's area of construction for is bounded on the west by Gratiot Avenue, north of Downie St., and bounded on the east by Pine Avenue and as far north as Washington Street. The pink arrows point toward the sidewalks that either will need to be replaced or removed. The City shares with the home owners the cost for construction 50-50. For more information or to potentially add your sidewalks to the repair list, call either Dave Ringle or Kristine Saia at (989) 463-8346.

Riverside Cemetery Flower/Decoration Rules:

Memorial Day Decorations:

Flowers of all kinds may be placed in (all) parts of the Cemetery between the last week of May until the 15th of June each year. After that date any unauthorized flowers/decorations will be removed by the Cemetery personnel.

Any questions concerning Decorations, Markers and Monuments, please call the Cemetery office located in the Public Works Garage Building at 989-463-8901.

Noxious Weeds Can Be Costly!

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

Any property with noxious weeds or tall grass that the City ends up mowing will be charged an administrative fee of $200 plus the cost of mowing. If the assessment is paid within 30 days, the fee will drop to $100. If you have questions or to report noxious weeds, please call 463-8356.

New Wastewater Rates

Effective July 1st

The following Wastewater rates are effective July 1, 2016. This will result in an increase of approximately $1.66/month for a typical residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water monthly.

Minimum Charge: (Monthly)
Meter size:
< 1inch	$ 21.29
1 inch	36.18
1.25 inches	53.20
1.5 inches	74.48
2 inches	142.57
3 inches	319.19
4 inches	574.54
6 inches	1,276.75
8 inches	2,340.71
Consumption Charge: (Price per 1,000 gallons)	$ 3.27

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 $13.59 for each additional unit.

Wastewater 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.

Alma Public Library New Service:

ZINIO Digital Magazines are now part of the collection offering from the Alma Public Library! This new service is a "database of magazines" that can be downloaded by our patrons to their smart devices. Through the Alma Public Library Website, patrons will have unlimited multi-user access to complete digital magazines, easily viewed on most Internet-enabled devices. The present title subscription includes 175 various popular titled magazines. Our service to this database is through the TLN Library Coop (The Library Network) headquartered in Novi, Michigan. There are 61 members of this group, as well as another 11 libraries from outstate, that have joined together to provide this service to their communities. The "Access Complete Digital Magazines" icon ON THE ALMA PUBLIC LIBRARY WEBPAGE will take you to the ZINIO LANDING SITE and entry to a new platform for accessing your favorite magazine title. ENJOY!!!!

Pine River Canoe Map

Looking for some fun this summer? Check out Gratiot County's Pine River Canoe Trail map. The route runs from Lumberjack Park in Riverdale to the Pine River Boat Launch in Alma. Take some time to explore the mighty Pine and take in the beautiful scenery along the way. Be sure to pack a lunch and enjoy the ride!

What Every Michigan
Bicyclist Must Know

With summer finally here and all the great trails we have in the area, bikes are out in full force. Make sure you're knowledgeable and are riding safe. Follow the link to read the League of Michigan Bicyclists publication, "What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know" to help you use Michigan's roads and trails safely and enjoyable. For more information check out their website or like them on Facebook.

Red

Cross Blood Drives

Between tornadoes, sudden severe thunderstorms and hurricanes, we know Mother Nature can be unpredictable. As spring settles in, the American Red Cross encourages families to get prepared before an emergency occurs. One way you can be better prepared is to download the new Emergency App from the Red Cross. It's an all-encompassing app with over 35 customizable severe weather or other emergency alerts. The Emergency App is available for free in app stores for smartphones and tablets by searching Emergency, or by visiting redcross.org/apps

Another way to help your community be prepared for disasters is by maintaining a sufficient blood supply. It's the blood and platelets already on the shelves that help save lives in an emergency. Blood donors of all types - especially types O negative, A negative and B negative - are needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring. Please help make time in June to help save lives.

Wednesday, June 1: 12 to 6 p.m.

Alma VFW Hall on Wright Avenue, Alma

Tuesday, June 7: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pine River Health Care 1149 W Monroe, St. Louis

Friday, June 17: 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ashley Community Center, Ashley

Tuesday, June 21: 1 to 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, Alma

Midstatesmen Barbershop Chorus is sponsoring this drive and will be performing for the donors.

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

Water

Conservation Tips

Look for WaterSense� labeled toilets, sink faucets, urinals and showerheads.
One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks.
While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.

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.

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.

Park Shelter Reservation Program

Alma has many beautiful parks throughout the city, some of which have shelters which you can reserve for your special events. Reservations are accepted through September 30 each year. You can check the Park Reservation calendar, download the reservation form and bring it to City Hall with the appropriate fee.

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Issue: 87

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City of Alma

Events Calendar
Alma Farm Market
Annual Sidewalk Replacement Program
Riverside Cemetery Flower Rules
Noxious Weeds
Wastewater Rates
Library Digital Magazines
Pine River Canoe Map
What Bicyclists should know
Red Cross Blood Drives
Water Conservation
Don't Forget Items