[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",5984410,"mediaKeyId","5805859-387c39207b633ee3699a04bd6205a8c3","parentId",5805859,"title","Alpena council adjourns to closed session to discuss proposed bio‑refinery and water/sewer litigation","audioSeconds",34,"startMs",1300000,"endMs",1334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805859-387c39207b633ee3699a04bd6205a8c3&start=1300&end=1334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805859-387c39207b633ee3699a04bd6205a8c3/thumbnail_1300000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5984410/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-council-adjourns-to-closed-session-to-discuss-proposed-biorefinery-and-watersewer-litigation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984410-7a0267ebdcd7cc738753cb9731ee3404/orig.mp4?Expires=1776023422&Signature=ZgYtyDYJqEw5daDvS-322dfQkEoH8gItr9Z~XKHD3YtkwgceUZWosR3kR2f7s8NMgztp-vjPhGTmbMA2DH1sS4xFHia73Zsj~c5vi7Hnq9AZDKifAYm4udwBPl7gGHpqX3SEm2tTaZR7xT39ncMQLT7MjsnEkMWwVoaKpbLq1ACVeGOHRaIR6z6X5GmSwS7gfCWUekrbH3Fd3FAYsVpSb745fNXQcHorwAZw3iDOfKfSYWRbMWeKFtXFiQuOJ3SRzs2RDFjMYUCFMwcpNtTbV69FNjxVTFtLpvNDT0DJhmkTYjyQraCVngLpmqMKQ4E1Y-H-1HdFCrton9Zf6~Mf~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alpena City, MI","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Alpena City Council voted Monday to adjourn into closed session to receive updates on proposed litigation involving Alpena Prototype BioRefinery LLC, American Process Inc. and BrandBio LLC, and to discuss a water and sewer litigation update.

Mayor Pro Tem Wellcheck made the motion to adjourn to closed session and Council member Bridget supported the motion, which carried on recorded voice vote. The council identified the two subjects for closed discussion as (a) an update regarding proposed litigation with Alpena Prototype BioRefinery LLC, American Process Inc., and BrandBio LLC, and (b) a water and sewer litigation update.

The council did not discuss details in public before adjourning to closed session; the items were listed on the meeting agenda as the reasons for the closed‑door discussion. No formal public action on those matters was taken in open session during this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alpena, MI City Council Meeting, September 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted to move into closed session to receive updates on proposed litigation involving Alpena Prototype BioRefinery LLC, American Process Inc., BrandBio LLC and a separate water and sewer litigation matter.","taxTitle","Alpena, Alpena County, Michigan","taxId",71582,"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},5984414,"Alpena council approves consent agenda including cemetery deeds, grant extension and noise variance",254,70000,324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805859-387c39207b633ee3699a04bd6205a8c3&start=70&end=324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805859-387c39207b633ee3699a04bd6205a8c3/thumbnail_70000.jpg","/articles/5984414/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-council-approves-consent-agenda-including-cemetery-deeds-grant-extension-and-noise-variance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984414-11c8a95c1b4de3419d02b89b191679fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1776023422&Signature=OZbcHyeXHEbb2dckokXYt-qhLW33Dj2HD87Q6u~kGYdSGxjC9kd1w9l7~2fpAG7mI4DUA~C9dm0sbZqskXd26iLq-k7b-gYlo~3FxdIddta5ztNSRNpXQjeZg~XSLumU~N91Ip56NblaEcJTwOS1lBcSTVYqdsWsEMshV04NlcD6oKOeJEP8cnGDFT9ZtkYFJRdv3RtRJUd5wm77U7bDSJnwv70qb4TuaszuKzUwJ2nEONNaXfVQK45OgA~jaq4-NgvTrS2DmsVaB4xMuQDi12jmpW2tJRvqCzQcpFZlXM0wD2CKSLINRvrWFfc6-xi506HdPdFjZY9WWMAWFAmt8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpena City Council on Monday approved its consent agenda, authorizing payment of $340,604.93 in bills and approving a package of routine items including cemetery deeds, a grant extension, a noise-ordinance variance and appointments.

The consent agenda vote authorized Mayor Cindy Johnson and the city clerk to sign the warrant for $340,604.93. It also approved a budget amendment to transfer $467 from the federal department of the general fund to the elections department for continuing education; a noise-ordinance variance for Joe's Bar on Sept. 20, 2025, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.; and mayoral appointment of Mary Thurston Egan to the compensation committee for a six-year term expiring Sept. 5, 2031.

The council approved three cemetery deeds: deed 0328 between the City of Alpena and Judy Viettel for Block 42, Lot 20 for $750; deed 0329 between the City of Alpena and David J. Meyer for Block 41, Lots 138 and 139 for $1,510; and deed 0330 between the City of Alpena and Kenneth Hubbard for Block 40, Lot 188 for $755. Each deed was authorized to be signed by Mayor Johnson and the city clerk.

The council also approved an amendment to the agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant TF21-0168 to extend the Bayview restroom and pavilion project deadline to July 31, 2025, and authorized the mayor to sign the amendment and future amendments as needed.

In other consent items, the council cast votes for Michelle Lavoie and Josh Moringa to serve as directors of the Michigan Municipal Liability and Property Pool for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The motion to approve the consent agenda carried following roll call.","The council approved the consent agenda covering $340,604.93 in bills, three cemetery deeds, a MDNR grant extension for the Bayview restroom project, a noise variance for Joe's Bar, a small budget transfer for elections training and several appointments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5984420,"Alpena council approves $25,000 contract for 2026 fireworks display",645,644000,1289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805859-387c39207b633ee3699a04bd6205a8c3&start=644&end=1289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805859-387c39207b633ee3699a04bd6205a8c3/thumbnail_644000.jpg","/articles/5984420/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-council-approves-25000-contract-for-2026-fireworks-display","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984420-d4500ac60d7f76649e255f5d37db1f5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776023422&Signature=Kd2ukfmpODPsHT3XmVavfkC5b6Ct7AqS76FdQFOptBwoazC9alS3vK0F4hogS9QUmN68~T4FmXJbawBKJ2Mmnzt0~iiJ07YoqFQ5gAayYossSvdyVmdQmm50vo56BoParPC73l4Nnb5zN-153lIFij1oH7dzHSZTBT-YozCEmiD9n6IXfDRWyVk1wlOTYnovo0-E6akpR5a0EjyD5YQKU1T8Jv9X7BpHTnGydDEt2-~c7hUmJEhjns4OIs-AUcBrzIDBksfaAv35Mum-XaotIXMNv55XZuByBLKfKLtPIjrN0u-8DGZKkt3XvNZtEV-PAgRHXitKGAKl2jIMNeETKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpena City Council on Monday approved a $25,000 contract with Small Town Saturday Night Fireworks for a community fireworks display on July 3, 2026, and authorized City Manager Rachel Smolinski to sign the agreement.

The recommendation to approve the vendor came from a staff member identified at the meeting as the community risk reduction officer and deputy fire chief, who said, \"I am recommending as a community risk reduction officer and deputy chief that the city council approve the proposal for Small Town Saturday Night Fireworks to deliver a high quality, safe, and visually spectacular display for the community on 07/03/2026 as outlined in the attached contract.\" Chief Robert Edmond confirmed staff had observed the previous year's show and noted safety procedures were followed.

The Alpena Chamber of Commerce has raised the $25,000 needed for the display in recent years; the council was told no direct city funds will be used to pay the vendor, but city personnel from police, fire and public works will support the event. The staff member said the vendor's contract includes comprehensive safety measures and contingency plans for inclement weather.

Council discussion addressed scheduling and logistics. Council members and staff said most fireworks vendors are already booked for July 4, which is why the city is pursuing July 3; the vendor listed backup dates of July 5 and July 10. The council discussed firing from barges in the bay versus a land site: barges provide a broad viewing area but are vulnerable to waves, and larger 8‑inch shells cannot be used from barges. Staff said a 450‑foot clearance zone is required around the firing site and that a previously used dry land site (the old DPI property) could serve as a contingency if permission is granted by the landowner.

Mayor Cindy Johnson made the motion to approve the agreement; the motion was seconded by Council member Bridget and carried.

The council authorized the city manager to sign the contract on the condition that the vendor meet the safety and contingency provisions in the contract. Staff were directed to continue coordinating viewing locations and landowner permissions for the backup firing site.","The Alpena City Council voted to approve a $25,000 contract with Small Town Saturday Night Fireworks for a community display on July 3, 2026, authorizing the city manager to sign the agreement; the chamber raises the funds and the city provides staff support.","actionData","errors"]

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Alpena council adjourns to closed session to discuss proposed bio‑refinery and water/sewer litigation

Alpena council approves consent agenda including cemetery deeds, grant extension and noise variance

Alpena council approves $25,000 contract for 2026 fireworks display