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Alma council approves $244,610 in claims, accepts generator bid and approves contracts; gas rate change set for ordinance
Summary
At its Nov. 5 meeting the Alma City Council approved $244,610.83 in claims, accepted bids for city services and equipment (including a $64,000 emergency generator for well #5), renewed the RV park contract with one edit, and voted to bring a gas base‑rate change by ordinance at the next meeting.
The Alma City Council on Nov. 5 approved routine claims totaling $244,610.83, accepted multiple service and equipment bids and set an ordinance‑level change to city gas base rates for consideration at the next meeting.
The council voted to approve claims and invoices covering Oct. 16–Nov. 5, 2025, following discussion of a previously received generator bid. The motion to approve claims was made by Joel Wheeler and seconded by Larry Casper; Wheeler, Casper, Tom Moulton and Chris Mahalek voted yes. The minutes record a total of $244,610.83 in approved payments.
Treasurer Tashia Butterfield presented the treasurer’s report, calling attention to capital outlay reimbursements for the auditorium, CD renewals, utility reimbursements, capital outlay for the gas department and a down payment toward a generator. The council accepted the treasurer’s report on a motion by Tom Moulton, seconded by Larry Casper.
The council renewed the city’s RV park contract for 2026 with contract holders Leroy and Donna Bose, voting to remove section 3‑D (a notation that a computer is not used). The motion to renew, made by Casper and seconded by Chris Mahalek, passed unanimously among the voting members recorded in the minutes.
On utility policy, the council discussed a proposal to raise city gas rates. Butterfield provided comparative information and recommended increasing the base rate and CCF rates, together with restructuring staff wages in other departments. Councilman Wheeler moved, and Casper seconded, to change the base rate by ordinance at the next meeting; the motion passed.
Council members also voted to keep the city compost site open for 2026 after city staff recommended doing so, and they awarded a three‑year municipal cleaning contract to Jeff Lynch (his bid: $800 per month or $20 per hour) with an addendum to include auditorium cleaning after renovation. Laura Schneider had submitted a competing bid of $1,000 per month or $25 per hour.
The council approved a donation to renovate the gazebo at the west end of the trail — work to include landscaping, additional sod, a sprinkler system, split‑rail fence and a possible water fountain and dog watering system — after being informed that the Corps of Engineers approval had been obtained. Council members publicly thanked the Calkins family for the donation.
Minutes show the council moved into executive session at 6:31 p.m. to discuss litigation updates and returned to open session at 6:38 p.m.; no substantive details of the litigation discussion are recorded in the minutes.
Administrator Steve Ardiana provided an administrative update on completed projects, outstanding costs and projects in progress. The minutes note that one bid was accepted for an emergency generator for city well #5 in the amount of $64,000; lift station bid reviews were scheduled for the Nov. 19 meeting with Miller & Associates.
Votes at a glance: approving minutes of Oct. 15 (motion Wheeler/Casper): Wheeler, Casper and Mahalek yes; Moulton abstained. Approve claims totaling $244,610.83 (Wheeler/Casper): Wheeler, Casper, Moulton and Mahalek yes. Accept treasurer’s report (Moulton/Casper): Moulton, Casper, Mahalek and Wheeler yes. Renew RV park contract removing section 3‑D (Casper/Mahalek): Casper, Mahalek, Moulton and Wheeler yes. Schedule gas base-rate change by ordinance (Wheeler/Casper): Wheeler, Casper, Moulton and Mahalek yes. Accept municipal cleaning bid (Moulton/Casper): Moulton, Casper, Wheeler and Mahalek yes. Approve gazebo donation (Wheeler/Casper): Wheeler, Casper, Mahalek and Moulton yes. Enter executive session on litigation (Moulton/Mahalek): Moulton, Mahalek, Casper and Wheeler yes. Adjourn (Moulton/Wheeler): Moulton, Wheeler, Mahalek and Casper yes.
The council adjourned at 7:12 p.m. The minutes do not record additional public comment beyond the items listed, nor do they record detailed debate transcripts; several motions referenced staff recommendations or informational packet materials prepared in advance.
