Alma council approves sealing and targeted repairs for downtown street

Alma’s City Council voted Oct. 17, 2024, to apply a high-grade penetrating salt-guard sealer to the west end of a downtown street and adjoining sidewalks after contractors reported surface scaling and spalling.

The move followed a presentation by consultants from Miller and Associates and contractors from Tri City Concrete and Mid States Engineering. Bernie Straetker of Miller and Associates said the west sections showed “scaling and spalling” on the surface. Clay Otto of Tri City Concrete and Mitchell Hoback of Mid States Engineering advised the council that the damage appeared to be salt-related and that the top surface of the affected concrete was weaker than neighboring pours. Otto recommended applying a penetrating sealer to protect the surface from further deterioration; Chris Miller of Miller and Associates agreed the treatment would be sufficient and noted such products typically protect for about five years.

Otto told the council he would remove and replace an east section of the street measuring 8 ft by 60 ft that was damaged; that replacement is covered under warranty and is scheduled for spring 2025. The minutes record that the repaired section will be treated with sealer at the end of the project, and that city personnel can apply sealer to the west end before winter if they choose.

Council Member Tom Moulton moved and Council Member Dyann Collins seconded a motion “to approve sealing the west end of the street and sidewalks with a high-grade penetrating sealer.” The motion passed; the minutes record yes votes from Collins, Larry Casper and Moulton and no votes recorded as none. The minutes do not list other individual votes.

The decision closes the immediate discussion on the Downtown Drainage Project for this special meeting. The council adjourned at 6:13 p.m.