Alma Commission sets hearings for demolition special assessment and sewer lead districts

Alma City — The Alma City Commission scheduled multiple public hearings to address recovery of local costs tied to building demolition and sanitary sewer construction.

On motion, the commission set a Nov. 25 hearing at 6 p.m. to consider a special assessment for the demolition of a dangerous structure at 702 Gratiot Avenue. City staff (Speaker 4) said the assessment would include demolition, asbestos testing and removal, and site restoration (topsoil and hydroseeding). Staff explained that if the property goes to foreclosure the city’s costs would be part of the recovery process and that special assessment is the preferred method to ensure the city is made whole.

Separately, the commission set Dec. 9, 2025, public hearings at 6 p.m. to consider final special assessment district numbers 3 (2023 north Washington sanitary sewer project) and numbers 2 and 4 (2024 Charles Avenue and Moyer Avenue sanitary sewer leads). Staff characterized these items as routine final assessments reflecting the actual costs incurred during construction and noted that affected property owners received prior notice during earlier proceedings.

Why it matters: Special assessments allocate the local costs of public works and demolition to affected properties and can affect property liens and future buyers. The demolition assessment included hazardous-material abatement costs that the city expects to recover through assessment or foreclosure procedures.

What’s next: The hearings on Nov. 25 and Dec. 9 will give owners and residents an opportunity to comment and contest final cost allocations before the commission considers formal adoption of the assessments.