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