[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6011393,"mediaKeyId","5805846-e57c31d08381b032514647c462f3866f","parentId",5805846,"title","Council adjourns to closed session to discuss proposed litigation with bio-refinery entities","audioSeconds",34,"startMs",4025000,"endMs",4059000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805846-e57c31d08381b032514647c462f3866f&start=4025&end=4059","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805846-e57c31d08381b032514647c462f3866f/thumbnail_4025000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6011393/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Council-adjourns-to-closed-session-to-discuss-proposed-litigation-with-bio-refinery-entities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6011393-10dd213d502175acf9ebc78ed9960d78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145758&Signature=kx966eW2q5U~7ak7APWEwXU3wvYZwDLSKQ0kd0eE5J4K1bO2q5L4~PoN3CUkcvzvY3JKfRRT-agnfrdv7OtWINUlo3qPYEIoYI91k23yT-vHNd6bvjy9vw8GkQ6PYu1OuHafH8bUQfUHYjb-x5XwZOuR5KdXw622cwDdJzVHnhefw4oiyXTT-die148VEC7-hdp8Nflc7sWbWlSTAjRBB89Kkt1Y~WJ6KbYVuvXCpguQuW5akGvMtT2sAe-6ISavU0UGABFabhPL3jNPHVxFINE~JIU3BdaXb3BAsZbpdbHcoJEVN7-1zOWSwHXSSshKmIiQ4A4b-udWolaz-V5Tjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alpena City, MI","date","2025-05-20T13:32:55Z","article","The Alpena City Council voted May 19 to adjourn into closed session to discuss litigation updates regarding a proposed case involving multiple private parties. Councilmember Mitchell moved to adjourn to closed session; the motion was seconded and carried by recorded 'Aye' votes.

Mayor Johnson said the closed session agenda items included updates on water and sewer litigation and a proposed litigation matter identified in the public record as involving \"Alpino Alpino prototype bio refinery LLC, American Process Incorporated, and Grant Bio LLC.\" The council voted to enter closed session and the meeting moved off the public record for attorney–client discussion under the closed-session provisions of Michigan law.

Why it matters: Litigation involving private companies and municipal projects can affect city finances, regulatory obligations and project timelines; the council’s decision to meet in closed session indicates the matter includes privileged legal strategy and not public deliberation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alpena, MI City Council Meeting, May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the May 19 meeting the Alpena City Council adjourned to a closed session to receive updates and discuss strategy related to proposed litigation involving two private companies and a prototype bio-refinery entity.","taxTitle","Alpena, Alpena County, Michigan","taxId",71582,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6011398,"Council approves 7% water, 3% sewer rate increase and hires bond counsel and financial adviser for infrastructure bonds",0,3273000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805846-e57c31d08381b032514647c462f3866f&start=3273&end=3273","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805846-e57c31d08381b032514647c462f3866f/thumbnail_3273000.jpg","/articles/6011398/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Council-approves-7-water-3-sewer-rate-increase-and-hires-bond-counsel-and-financial-adviser-for-infrastructure-bonds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6011398-5cfc47cc6ba254f5c390a7e024bc1cc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145758&Signature=eA7C3j08BZV2xVftUxmdg7MJRkMjxeUJYrryYGJcaIsUDEKiyaXyHVANzgMnYnX8ioN0My04SBWFdm6mvtbhKSugQda9v0-0BD-8iJSdTbsg8bIAsGjaz6UrUhOgVZhDZdRMcOo-DO04J5T5Tvreq9zpJPk4iQf-DNdbFEQ8xLYzME1Cf9ayDDvGnNNIHIB0kutLNzJyPem-ABuoP-4i8~TDw~zjamMb1kTZBjkd2dXVSouUkEAzcxhsY64JyadXQXGxGMxoHqu1j2SrJN0hMdwwlSeTj3uio-ROmArZv9ks0Rid6~cfRmZr~GlPfoTRRkKALKLtS~LWe3NY3-93-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alpena council members voted May 19 to adopt proposed water and sewer rates that would raise the water rate 7% and the sewer rate 3% for the coming fiscal year, a combined average increase of about 5% across both utilities.

Steve Schultz, city engineer, presented rate options and recommended the 7%/3% split to accelerate rebuilding the water fund balance while limiting sewer increases. Schultz said the proposed rates assume 292,601 water gallon units and 274,101 sewer gallon units and would generate approximately $2.3 million for the water fund and about $2.06 million for the sewer fund. Using that option, Schultz said the average utility customer would see roughly a $20–$25 increase per quarter, depending on usage.

Council members and staff emphasized the purpose of the increase is to rebuild reserves after recent capital projects, including the Second Avenue and Fair Avenue work, and to support the large clear-well project now underway. Finance staff projected the water fund balance would be about $449,000 by June 30, 2026 under current plans and the sewer fund about $1.85 million; council members said they would like to build fund balances to a higher target over time.

Separately, the council approved proceeding with a bond issue to fund infrastructure projects and related costs. City staff described a proposed $3.9 million bond package intended to partially fund completion of a clear well project (staff said the total clear-well cost has grown toward $10 million and the city previously received a $6 million state appropriation in 2022) and to acquire an aerial platform fire apparatus (a ladder truck) with an estimated cost of $2,007,980.48 and a two- to four-year build time.

Council approved entering into an agreement with Dickinson Wright for bond-counsel services in the amount of $19,250 and with MFCI for financial-adviser services (fee equal to 85% of the bond-counsel fee, $16,362.50). Staff said bond-counsel and advisory fees will be added to the bond proceeds so the city will not pay those costs from the general fund. The council asked that the selected advisers return to present the bond issuance process and timetable.

Why it matters: The rate increase and bond authorization fund near-term operations and large capital projects (clear well replacement and fire apparatus) and will affect utility bills paid by city ratepayers. The choice to attach issuance fees to bond proceeds affects how the city finances borrowing costs.

The council adopted the rates and authorized the bond-counsel and adviser agreements by recorded motion; staff said sales timing will be determined by the adviser process and that any state appropriations obtained later could be used to pay down bonds earlier if possible.","The council adopted a proposed water/sewer rate package (7% water, 3% sewer) to rebuild fund balances and approved hiring Dickinson Wright and MFCI for a planned $3.9 million bond package covering clear wells and a ladder truck, with bond fees to be paid from bond proceeds.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6011405,"Alpena council reviews preliminary FY25 budget, hears millage rollback and multiple fee changes",1408,191000,1599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805846-e57c31d08381b032514647c462f3866f&start=191&end=1599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805846-e57c31d08381b032514647c462f3866f/thumbnail_191000.jpg","/articles/6011405/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-council-reviews-preliminary-FY25-budget-hears-millage-rollback-and-multiple-fee-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6011405-f1d739fc0600d3fb961e188910a90918/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145758&Signature=RfAzJuvK4bVHvj0yxlCq7MsIGSuVw0J8Pto32JIa~s7iFBG02rrXMz5xMvAZgUipbuFAH9hR55DJeBjPq~YXhCZrjG8zJ8Vp5XUUDY2dpS8zXZAnafWcJNF-5PkgwCk2PNg5CAXcmSOq6a5Xk5-QlHgQpZ9SZGkFtSUna~Rw~g6xUvrpV-vNvrBKzwGHmgizxFrSGpLgoiZMGrQNpOULhp55v~rznPIqhRdJLbYO2TbdETtKEUKk8O~rCUkGuYlercpMBoT~WMrS2qVPKefcTN3nN2l-APZYmtgTjg3x-KgBhtFVAvISQjUD4rMLMPtdHDthU1TFNCTGk022mX0m3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpena City Council opened a public hearing on the preliminary fiscal year 2025 budget on May 19, where city finance staff outlined changes that narrowed the projected general fund deficit and explained a required millage reduction under state rules.

Anna Swick, clerk, treasurer and finance director, told the council the budget draft presented May 5 was updated to include a $50,000 transfer from the perpetual lot care fund, an added $4,200 cost for bagged leaf pickup for FY26–27 and a $17,666 correction for an insurance payment in the major streets fund. Swick said those changes reduced the previously presented FY25 general fund deficit from $907,926 to $857,926 and left a planned reduction from fund balance of $997,178 on the general fund schedule.

The budget presentation also explained the effect of Michigan’s millage reduction fraction (Headlee rollback). Swick said the city levied 15.9827 mills in 2024 but will be able to levy only 15.8436 mills for the 2025 tax levy because a millage reduction fraction of 0.9913 applies to the city operating millage; the downtown development authority’s (DDA) voted millage will drop from 1.9812 mills to 1.9465 mills under a separate fraction of 0.9825. Swick said the city’s taxable value for the 2025 tax year is $316,256,139 and explained the rollback calculation steps the county equalization office provided.

Council members asked clarifying questions about where revenues were estimated and whether the city budgets conservatively for collectible personal property taxes. Swick explained that the county reconciles collections March 1 and makes the city whole for uncollected real property taxes but that personal property collections are less certain.

Council members also reviewed proposed fee and policy language changes that staff flagged during the budget review. Council member Jenkins (referred to in discussion as Bridget) and staff agreed to remove a sentence that implied tenants paid rental-inspection appeal fees; Jenkins said tenants do not pay those fees and the language should be eliminated. The council discussed rental of courts at Bayview Park and asked staff to clarify what a $50 “sports courts tournament” rental would reserve (single court vs. multiple courts). On marina reservation policy, council members asked for language clarifying the nonrefundable nature of the $100 slip deposit when a slip is reserved and not paid for by the deadline.

On seasonal boat-launch fees, staff had proposed a single $40 seasonal fee for all users; council members debated restoring a resident discount (previously $25 for residents, $50 for nonresidents). One council member suggested proportionate percentage increases instead of a flat, uniform fee so city residents would not pay more than nonresidents. No final ordinance language change was recorded in the hearing; members said they would give direction to staff before the budget is finalized.

Staff said compost sales would remain limited to 5 yards per day per customer unless prior approval is obtained; the charge is $20 per yard, which staff said essentially covers the city’s costs for producing and managing the compost. Swick said contractors occasionally request larger amounts and that residents may arrange larger pickups through DPW.

During the meeting finance staff reported an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) balance of roughly $110,843 and recommended transferring $107,011.45 from ARPA to the general fund to pay for the city’s purchase of 800 megahertz radios requested by the police department. That transfer was described as a staff recommendation in the budget discussion; the transcript does not show the council taking a separate, recorded vote on that transfer during the public hearing.

Actions taken at the meeting that relate to the budget and consent items included approval of the consent agenda (which contained liquor-control items for cider-mill permit applications) and multiple housekeeping and procedural motions. Staff said more budget edits will be made before the June 2 meeting when the council will consider the final proposed budget.

Why it matters: The millage reduction fraction and the budget’s projected draw on fund balance determine how much general-fund service levels can be sustained without a voter-approved millage override; fee, rental and user-fee changes discussed at this hearing affect residents and seasonal users of city parks, the marina and compost service.

Council discussion continued across several line items; staff will return with clarified fee language and the council will consider final budget adoption at a later meeting.","At a May 19 public hearing the Alpena City Council reviewed the preliminary fiscal year 2025 budget, discussed a Headlee millage reduction, several line-item adjustments and proposed fee changes for marina, park rentals and compost; staff recommended one ARPA transfer to buy radios for public safety.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adjourns to closed session to discuss proposed litigation with bio-refinery entities

Council approves 7% water, 3% sewer rate increase and hires bond counsel and financial adviser for infrastructure bonds

Alpena council reviews preliminary FY25 budget, hears millage rollback and multiple fee changes