Votes at a glance: Alma City commission approves routine permits, investments, land sales and contract changes

The Alma City Commission voted on multiple resolutions and motions during the meeting. Below is a concise list of the actions the commission approved, followed by brief context from recorded discussion where provided.

Votes at a glance (each approved by voice vote unless otherwise noted):

- Approval of minutes: Approved the regular session minutes of March 25, 2025.

- Receipt of communication: Received a communication from the Arbor Day Foundation regarding the city's Tree City USA designation for 2024.

- Investment ratification: Ratified three certificates of deposit, each for $250,000, at a commercial bank at an interest rate recorded in the meeting as 3.85% (motion carried).

- Elma Farm Market street use: Authorized use of North State Street (from the north side of Superior Street to Downey Street) for the weekly Elma Farm Market, each Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning June 1, 2025 and running through October 25, 2025.

- Omaha Festival noise variance: Approved a three‑day variance to the noise ordinance allowing amplified entertainment for the Omaha Festival from the evening of Friday, May 24 through Sunday, May 26, 2025, pursuant to a local ordinance cited in the meeting (motion carried).

- Noxious weeds nuisance declaration: Adopted a resolution declaring noxious weeds a public hazard and nuisance and directing staff to notify affected property owners to abate nuisances pursuant to sections 22‑62 and 22‑63 of the city code.

- Arbor Day proclamation: Adopted a resolution proclaiming April 25, 2025, as Arbor Day in the city of Alma (resolution adopted).

- Pine Avenue change order (Michigan Transportation): Approved a change order for the Pine Avenue reconstruction project, amending Alma's portion of the Michigan Transportation contract total from $2,432,000 to $2,811,581.70. Staff stated the increase reflected the actual low bid versus earlier engineering estimates and that project costs remain covered within the department budget.

- Gemstone Fields lot price reductions: Approved an agreement to reduce sale prices on remaining city‑owned lots in Gemstone Fields subdivision (staff described reducing the price from "12 5" to just under "10 per lot" to incentivize sales; the meeting recorded that sale agreements will require purchasers to build within a stipulated time frame).

- RCL Construction change order (wastewater chlorine to bleach conversion): Approved a final change order and closeout for the project with RCL Construction Company, amending the contract from $734,800 to $693,503. Staff said the project is under the original $810,000 budget and that the change order reflects final adjustments including work on tank orientation, chemical‑resistant coating and relocation of associated equipment.

- Reports received: The commission received routine officer, board and committee reports covering the 2024 water quality report, Finance March 2025 report, Elmwood Police Department March 2025 report, Elmwood Transit March 2025 report and the City Manager's report; the transit report was briefly discussed and later received after staff follow‑up on ridership figures was promised.

- Meeting scheduling and closed session: The commission set a public hearing on the FY 2025–26 budget for May 13, 2025 at 6 p.m. and approved scheduling potential special budget review meetings. The commission then voted to enter closed session under the Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.268) to discuss the purchase or lease of real property; the record shows the commission did not expect to take action after the closed session.

Notes on procedure and votes: Most items were adopted by voice vote with no roll‑call tally recorded in the transcript. Where staff provided brief explanation, it was recorded in the meeting: for example, staff said the Pine Avenue change order reflected higher actual bid pricing compared with earlier engineering estimates but that the project remained within available budget. For the Gemstone Fields lots, staff emphasized that reduced sale prices would be paired with a requirement that buyers demonstrate intent to build.

If commissioners or members of the public request the official minutes or the agenda packet, those documents contain the formal motion language and certified vote records where roll calls were taken.