Council approves $2,800 for Alpena 250 kickoff; manager proposes tree-planting challenge

The Alpena City Council approved an allocation of up to $2,800 on May 18 to support a community kickoff event for "Alpena 250," a yearlong celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 50th anniversary of the Alpena Bypass.

City Manager Rachel Smyrnais described plans for a June 17 event on the City Hall lawn (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain date July 8), which will include a sculpture dedication coordinated with the Thunder Bay Arts Council, hot-dog service by city staff and volunteers, and apple pie provided by the arts council. Smyrnais said staff estimated about 300 attendees and would keep receipts for event expenses.

Smyrnais also proposed a "250 tree challenge" to encourage residents to plant trees during the year. She said the city has a grant through the DNR Urban Forestry program to plant 100 trees and that a consultant is updating a planting inventory after two ice storms delayed the original timeline. Council members asked whether trees could be planted in the tree lawn (adjacent to sidewalks) or private yards and were told planting in public tree lawns requires a permit and coordination with staff, and the city maintains an approved list of species suitable for tree lawns.

The council moved to approve the requested allocation not to exceed $2,800; the motion passed on recorded affirmative votes.

Why it matters: The approved allocation funds a public event that city staff said will emphasize community engagement and local history; the tree challenge ties the celebration to an urban forestry grant and potential longer-term tree-planting efforts.

Next steps: Staff will finalize event logistics, issue a press release, release the event flyer designed by Chamber president Paige Fisher, and provide more details to council and the public. The council asked staff to report back on any permit or program options for residents who want assistance planting trees.