[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6104346,"mediaKeyId","2791213-617f0ce337707ef585ca2c6cba9ee274","parentId",2791213,"title","Votes at a glance: Alma City Commission approves grant application and several purchases, 13 May 2025","audioSeconds",56,"startMs",1892000,"endMs",1948000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791213-617f0ce337707ef585ca2c6cba9ee274&start=1892&end=1948","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791213-617f0ce337707ef585ca2c6cba9ee274/thumbnail_1892000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104346/Alma-City/Gratiot-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Alma-City-Commission-approves-grant-application-and-several-purchases-13-May-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104346-ebf15fcfa3bd0aaf258d0b8b53242fd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775241320&Signature=ORqWHHKIV8ziVFiMO8lcEoDj7ZO-MEuBvzUbLSTOgFpxdU19WirpXsQNd-uIwscgPR5BHzT7G7ajO4lQa-4WzDG0k1afjf7HImxjA8JRIKm2Z7OeC1cRXyBE6ydFRxi84RqXeS2qdgWFTxtOumSZXyc34WRRdhVTI9L~HixYxWQVkvaKJidTPvKTfwGqyAy1v8Jl-JrxprC1WAkX9hODmIXmQaqJZO57NJf~UsKcEbs2xVVLBuWAtgVMDQt7rvAriVaMWfEnIEU3IrrTRGgOiNB7leu8Sh765YrzvAP9H578Wrzn79zh47H2Rnd8b5xUx1QTjvd~cjGbseq7Wr2fbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Alma","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Alma City Commission took a series of formal actions at its May 13 meeting. Highlights include approval to apply for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant for Riverside Park (Option A at a 25% local match) and the passage of procurement and contract resolutions for municipal operations and capital maintenance.

Key votes and outcomes

• DNR grant application (Riverside Park, Option A, 25% local match): Motion to apply approved; one recorded opposing vote; staff to submit application and report back with MDNR scoring. (See full article on the Riverside Park application.)

• Purchase — Medlar Electric: $34,420.56 for eight black post‑top LED downtown lights to replace aging sodium fixtures. Motion approved unanimously.

• Purchase — DA Central, Inc.: $28,019.74 for purchase and installation of an access card‑reader system at the Department of Public Works garage. Motion approved unanimously; staff said the system uses the same card‑reader manufacturer in other city buildings though a different installer is recommended for cost reasons. Dave Rangel, public service director, said the vendor is the low bid and the gates will be considered in a future budget.

• Purchase — Weatherby Plumbing & Heating, Inc.: $12,152 for replacement toilets, faucets and stainless‑steel sinks at the Euclid Street ballfield restrooms. Motion approved; work to be scheduled after the little‑league season (likely not started until after July).

• Investment ratification (CDARS and CDs): Resolution ratifying multiple certificate of deposit investments passed; one commissioner abstained on the vote.

• MDOT and related agreements: The commission adopted a performance resolution authorizing annual MDOT permits for special community events on state right‑of‑way (street closures, banners), approved a one‑year extension to an existing MDOT master agreement for transit project authorizations, and approved contract number 2020-204-50602 for the Charles Avenue concrete shared‑use path project to authorize city manager execution of related documents. All were approved by the commission as recorded in the minutes.

Other routine business on the consent/agenda passed (agenda approval, minutes, payment of bills, reports), and the meeting closed after public comment.

For several items staff noted follow‑up steps: final vendor scheduling, report‑back on MDNR scoring for the Riverside Park application, and future budget consideration for gate access upgrades at DPW.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Commission Meeting March 25th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission voted to apply for a DNR grant for Riverside Park (option A, 25% match) and approved multiple procurement and contract items including downtown lighting, a card-reader system, restroom fixtures and state agreements.","taxTitle","Alma City, Gratiot County, Michigan","taxId",51991,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104351,"Alma City Commission votes to apply for DNR park grant for Riverside Park improvements",1887,62000,1949000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791213-617f0ce337707ef585ca2c6cba9ee274&start=62&end=1949","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791213-617f0ce337707ef585ca2c6cba9ee274/thumbnail_62000.jpg","/articles/6104351/Alma-City/Gratiot-County/Michigan/Alma-City-Commission-votes-to-apply-for-DNR-park-grant-for-Riverside-Park-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104351-7bc7a8d6a61f8112e8b1f77d4e124aa7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775241320&Signature=MIkx05Eu0VGmlk~5QXcPKyRB38m0S1qc0gDJHwz-bymJV-qmpyL~5dkYCVmaLLbmhSHI4qdkoBPSTfL8JzsFi08pZUSZrLr7MNb68uevOlWFYG7JStSJu5kL6dSy-FHzlv6SOfWA2qxv2XhawnLYHB3jC661MTr3X6GCyD-KhSbnYiXxnbGwTBiJHOLmI~1APuUeLmEDXkBvL5UHkI54o2w~w6xRKxDzUFNxnCWQYEsvRp-vvW06uXozy-o8FkkEm~VpnNfMpKb11jg-V1RsoZQgxaRPQdE~3sk3itwMMvKfbqalRYNcbsy7IXw-QcJQPK53LLwsNkVfQGwKjBk8TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alma City Commission voted to apply for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) grant to rebuild features at Riverside Park, approving option A with a 25% local match.

The commission approved a resolution to submit a Natural Resources Trust Fund/Land and Water Conservation Fund application covering the Riverside Park deck, pavilion repairs and replacement of deteriorated site amenities. The total Riverside Park project was described in the meeting as $460,000; the commission authorized applying with a 25% local match, which the commission and staff calculated as a $345,000 grant request and $115,000 local match.

Commissioners and staff discussed why the commission chose the Riverside Park package and not to include other riverwalk overlooks in the application. The meeting record shows engineer estimates for other riverwalk elements discussed during the hearing: a boat-launch overlook deck at about $310,000 and a separate conservation-park overlook at about $200,000. Staff noted those structures are maintenance‑intensive wood over-water walkways; several commissioners urged considering concrete on‑land alternatives to reduce long‑term maintenance costs and improve durability.

Staff member Eric presented the project options and funding programs, explaining the grant programs available: the Land and Water Conservation Fund (maximum $500,000; typical local match 50% required by the program) and the Natural Resources Trust Fund (maximum $400,000; minimum 25% local match). Eric said the Riverside Park-only application totals $460,000 and that applying at a 25% match would make the city’s required local contribution smaller while keeping the application competitive.

Commissioners and staff discussed practical and budget implications. Staff said any local match would most likely come from the city’s fund balance if the commission chose to increase the match. Commissioners raised concerns about future maintenance obligations for wood boardwalks and overlooks, noted that one overlook had been reconstructed earlier in the year with deeper-driven piers, and discussed partnering with neighboring St. Louis to extend trails rather than replacing every overlook.

During the public hearing Brenda Bratt of 416 Yale Ave asked whether ADA compliance could be included in the grant. Eric replied, “No, it's required. This is, this party requirement is that everything must meet the ADA,” and added that projects that go beyond basic requirements using universal design can score additional points.

The commission debated how aggressive to be on matching level. At the vote the motion on the table was to apply for Option A at a 25% local match. The motion carried; one commissioner recorded a vote in opposition and the motion passed.

The commission instructed staff to proceed with submitting the application for option A at a 25% match and to return with any scoring or follow‑up information the MDNR provides. Staff noted the MDNR applications are annual and that the application deadline is imminent (staff said they intended to submit next week).","After an extended discussion of costs, accessibility and maintenance, the Alma City Commission approved a resolution to apply to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a grant to rebuild Riverside Park features, submitting option A with a 25% local match.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Alma City Commission approves grant application and several purchases, 13 May 2025

Alma City Commission votes to apply for DNR park grant for Riverside Park improvements