Alma council authorizes use of recreational funds for golf-course parking and cart storage

The Alma City Council on Dec. 17 unanimously approved a motion permitting the use of recreational funds and proceeds from the old Quonset to expand parking at the municipal golf course, add electrical service and construct a new cart-storage building.

Councilman Joel Wheeler moved the measure; Councilman Tom Moulton seconded. The motion carried with votes recorded in the minutes as yes from Wheeler, Moulton, Chris Mahalek and Larry Casper. The minutes record the motion’s dollar figure as “up to $1171000”; the clerk’s minutes show this amount but the text appears to contain a transcription or formatting error and should be confirmed by city staff.

Cody Simmons, who presented the plans to the council, said the current on-site parking is 21 spaces and the goal is to increase capacity to 118 by removing the old Quonset and relocating the putting green; First State Bank has donated $10,000 specifically for the putting-green project. The council discussed timing and aims to complete work ahead of the 2026 golf season, possibly in March 2026.

The motion authorizes using recreational funds and Quonset proceeds; the minutes record no further conditions or required external approvals. City Attorney Doug Walker was asked to look into bidding procedures for the Quonset (possible sale or bid process). The council took no separate vote on contractor selection or specific contract awards at the meeting.

Next steps recorded in the minutes include administrative follow-up on bidding procedures and scheduling; the motion does not identify an exact project budget beyond the figure recorded in the minutes and staff or the clerk should be consulted for the official appropriation amount and accounting details.