Alpena council approves up to $10,000 for emergency warming shelter and $5,000 for transport aid

The Alpena City Council voted Dec. 15 to commit municipal funds to a short-term emergency warming shelter and a companion transport-assistance program. City Manager Rachel Smolinski told the council Alpena County offered the Merchants Building at the county fairgrounds to host a shelter through March 31, 2026, and Saint Vincent de Paul will operate it.

Smolinski asked council to authorize up to $10,000 from the general fund to help with shelter operations "contingent upon the development and execution of that cooperative services agreement," and to establish a one-time, up-to-$5,000 "Finding Your Way Home" program to pay limited transportation costs for verified, nonlocal individuals. "This program would provide limited financial assistance for transportation related costs and would be administered under clear guidelines to be developed by the city manager, in coordination with Alpena County and any other partner organizations," she said.

Councilors approved both measures. The shelter funding was described as contingent on a formal cooperative services agreement among Alpena County, Saint Vincent de Paul and the City of Alpena; staff said operational guidelines, eligibility criteria and roles will be spelled out in that agreement. Smolinski said the county board was expected to consider county funding the same week.

Council members asked staff to limit unsolicited donations until operators publish an explicit list of needs; Smolinski and other staff warned donations could overwhelm operators if not coordinated. The motion authorizing up to $10,000 also directed the mayor and city manager to develop and execute the cooperative agreement and requested at least one council member participate with staff in drafting program guidelines.

Next steps: staff will finalize the cooperative services agreement, develop operational guidance and return any formal documents to council as required.