Alma commissioners increase local match for Riverside Park grant and approve dam feasibility study grant

The Alma City Commission on Tuesday amended a resolution to raise the city's local match for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for Riverside Park improvements and separately approved a state grant agreement to study the Alma State Street dam.

Commissioners voted to increase the local match for the Riverside Park River Overlook and pavilion application to 26 percent, equal to $119,600, after staff told the commission that moving from the minimum match to 26 percent would add 15 scoring points to the city’s application. The commission also authorized the city manager to execute a grant agreement with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to fund an Alma State Street dam feasibility study — a $236,100 grant with an in‑kind match of $53,900.

The match decision followed extended discussion about the value of rebuilding the riverside overlook while the longer‑term condition and possible removal or repair of the nearby dam remain under study. Public Services Director Dave Randall told the commission the dam’s condition will require either rehabilitation or removal eventually and that removing or rebuilding the portion of river frontage would likely require riprap and other bank work. He estimated a baseline cost on the order of $100,000 to remove and stabilize that structure if the city chose removal rather than repair, and warned that full dam work would be a much larger, multi‑year project requiring additional funding sources.

City Manager Eric (last name not specified) said the EGLE feasibility study will be managed by the city’s engineers and local partners, including Tetra Tech and the college, and will include community engagement. He said the study is expected to run roughly 18 months and will return multiple options with cost ranges (the grant will provide the engineering and engagement work to generate those options).

Staff described several match scenarios for the MDNR Trust Fund application: a 26 percent match ($119,600) would earn 15 points in scoring; a 30 percent match would score higher; 40 and 50 percent matches would deliver still more points but raise the city’s contribution. Commissioners amended the resolution to the 26 percent match level and carried the motion.

Commissioners who questioned the overlook asked whether spending on a new overlook made sense if the dam’s long‑term status remained unsettled; others said investing now could reduce future costs by addressing a structure the city will likely need to repair or remove.

The EGLE grant motion passed as presented. Manager Eric said that, if approved, the engineer would begin work with local partners and staff to hold community meetings and develop three or more options with rough cost estimates for the commission’s review.

Both votes were carried by voice vote; the meeting transcript records no roll‑call tallies.

The commission’s action instructs staff to proceed with the MDNR application at the amended match level and to execute the EGLE grant agreement so the feasibility study for the Alma State Street dam can begin.