The Alpena City Council on July 21 directed staff to proceed with the Mishiquis conceptual restoration plan and approved a trio of implementation actions, including use of $20,000 in committed restricted funds and a budget amendment to carry over unused prior-year funds to complete the work.

The councilapproved the staff-recommended restoration plan after a presentation from City engineer Schultz and discussion of design details such as parking, volleyball courts and dune/shoreline plantings. Council members emphasized ADA access and preserving pedestrian connectivity while noting the plan had evolved from earlier drafts.

Three separate council actions followed:
- Motion to direct staff to proceed with Mishiquis conceptual restoration plan as presented (mover: Councilman Danny Mitchell; supported by Mayor Pro Tem) — motion passed.
- Motion to use $20,000 of committed restricted funds, allocated as $5,000 for Mishiquis upgrades (Performance Locker), $5,000 for shoreline erosion, and $10,000 for park improvements; funds are from the Alpena Area Convention and Visitors Bureau — motion passed.
- Motion to approve an attached budget amendment to carry over unused funding from the prior fiscal year to complete the project — motion passed.

City staff said the project includes a paved parking area on the south end of the property, conversion of some former volleyball courts back to natural beach, dune restoration with plantings managed with Huron Pines, and a 14-foot-wide ADA-accessible crushed-aggregate pathway similar to material used at Water Street Commons. Council discussion noted the volleyball grouprequested eight courts and that some play structures will be replaced via the capital improvement program.

Clarifying detail: the council specifically removed gravel from the road earlier so volleyball construction could start, and the plan relies on a combination of volunteer labor and contracted work. The $20,000 in committed restricted funds is allocated from the Alpena Area Convention and Visitors Bureau as recorded by staff during the meeting.

Ending: Staff was directed to move forward with the plan and to implement the approved funding and budget amendment; project scheduling and additional contract details were left to staff to bring back as work progresses.