Alpena County OKs application for $72,000 MEDC block grant to buy emergency generators; board cites sheltering gaps after ice storm

The Alpena County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 25-09 authorizing the county to apply for a $72,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to purchase emergency generators.

County staff described the MEDC allocation as a direct response to an earlier ice storm that left parts of the county without power. "Because of the ice storm, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the MEDC has allocated money to each of the counties that was impacted by the storm. Alpena County has allocated $72,000 in a Community Development Block Grant, to provide for generators," a county staff member said during the meeting. The staff member told the board county officials must specify how they will use the funds before the MEDC will release them and asked the board to authorize the county chair to sign and submit the application paperwork.

The staff member said the county had asked whether the $72,000 could be applied toward a larger generator for the Aplex; the grant would not cover the entire cost but "would pay a large percentage of the size generator we would need to make the Aplex a shelter, for our emergency plan going forward." The staff member said the county was waiting for MEDC guidance on that request.

A public commenter with The Salvation Army, Jafriza Morrison, described operational problems her organization encountered during the ice storm and urged investment in sheltering capacity. "Not 2 or 3 days later, we needed a shelter right then. And we at the Salvation Army was disappointed because we had nothing," Morrison said, adding that her organization could likely have housed about 100 people if utilities had been available. She and county staff argued that concentrating resources on a single, planned shelter location in town would simplify operations and help residents who lack phones or internet find shelter during an emergency.

Following discussion, a motion to adopt Resolution 25-09 (Urgent Needs) passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners voting yes. The board also formally closed the public hearing on the CDBG urgent needs allocation and moved on to other finance and consent business.

Votes at a glance - Adopt Resolution 25-09 (Urgent Needs CDBG allocation, $72,000): motion carried; roll-call vote recorded as yes from Commissioners LaHaye, Ludlow, Bray, Peterson, Fournier, Britton and Kozlowski. - Approve agenda: motion carried (unanimous). - Approve payment of bills: motion carried (unanimous). - Receive and file treasurer's report (period ending 05/31/25): motion carried (unanimous). - Approve sheriff's budget line adjustment (misc. expense increased by $750 to reflect reimbursement for equipment): motion carried (unanimous). - Adopt Alpena County credit-card rewards policy (Score Rewards): motion carried (unanimous). County staff said points may be used for travel (hotel, plane and meals), beautification projects, food/beverage at public events and certain vendor gift cards. - Accept $5,000 Community Foundation urgent needs grant for summer brush-collection staffing and move funds from a general-government line into grounds and maintenance; create a temporary employee line (101265704) and increase it by $5,000: motion carried (unanimous). - Approve consent calendar: motion carried (unanimous). - Adjourn: motion carried (unanimous).

Board members and staff flagged shelter planning as a follow-up topic. County staff also said the issue will be a main topic at an upcoming intergovernmental council meeting and that townships have expressed interest in partnering on shelter preparations.

The meeting record shows county staff will notify MEDC that Alpena County wishes to apply for the CDBG allocation and proceed with required paperwork; MEDC’s final decision on whether funds may be applied toward a larger generator at the Aplex was not yet available at the time of the meeting.