[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6011402,"mediaKeyId","5805844-c3a8694edd3dd55eb3381396e7ad233e","parentId",5805844,"title","Council receives third-quarter financial report; city remains above minimum fund-balance policy","audioSeconds",811,"startMs",2439000,"endMs",3250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805844-c3a8694edd3dd55eb3381396e7ad233e&start=2439&end=3250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805844-c3a8694edd3dd55eb3381396e7ad233e/thumbnail_2439000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6011402/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Council-receives-third-quarter-financial-report-city-remains-above-minimum-fund-balance-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6011402-2367ee9b09d3b7216e49b55771b531e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770565187&Signature=I1IZ2fqu~2cs3clN6T2uCfGtL-KYqQ5EzCUpgFWuoUajM9sSyq95v1AvOQjshGIrSJrYFJoI~kY~g1w35DhfgFJEhFPmm441tDB4al4n12PojNMHkz7bOY3w5wABPZcotVW8HBLBy-eRSgyTcWfXQ0Ne1~PrQKsMz~zYT5MrPxJ8ocavqPyHQS0hSyVgiTzyZjOCaQ5mgtIwoVzrmJ4sxOpEVqEKkCTCimEjT8mSqaSsr-3eGgc8xuwY-nQAtB6-Jtp2A7TSWTwXvTbEIckIOPhCQaljIMX2AAlgw3fTtXNb3I1aGAp0ni-8kJQSwuS-~8cTv~VNqAacIJL1pBto4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alpena City, MI","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Alpena City Council received and filed the third-quarter fiscal-year 2025 financial report at its April 21 meeting.

The finance presenter noted revenues year-to-date of $9,594,490 against an amended budget of $14,616,022 (about 65.6% collected at March 31). Expenditures to date were $9,700,000 of an amended budget of $15,699,000 (about 62%). The report explained several variances: tax revenue collections were at 99.6% of budget; ambulance transport and other public-safety fees lagged expectations; land-bank and blight-elimination receipts and recreation-capital grants (Culligan Plaza, volleyball courts) were lower than budgeted and moved between years; and several capital projects were delayed into the next fiscal year.

The presenter summarized budget amendments made during the quarter, including election laptop replacement (grant-funded), Thunder Bay River Center and youth-recreation grant amendments, increased assessor inspections, police riflery purchases and lease-liability accounting adjustments. The presenter said transfers expected from DPW construction and ARPA funds are being re-timed; some of those amounts were moved to the next fiscal year.

Council was told the fiscal projection at June 30 would leave a general-fund balance of about 21% under the amended budget. Council policy sets a minimum fund-balance target of 10% and a maximum of 20%; staff noted the city continues to carry a higher fund balance than the minimum and discussed options to use or allocate excess balances for capital projects or pension contributions.

A motion to receive and file the third-quarter financial report passed by recorded vote. Council asked staff to present the proposed fiscal-year 2026 budget at the next meeting with updated projections and any recommended uses of fund balance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alpena, MI City Council Meeting, April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At 75% of the fiscal year, Alpena’s amended revenue and expenditure numbers put the general fund at a projected 21% fund balance; council received and filed the city finance director's third-quarter report and approved associated budget amendments discussed in the packet.","taxTitle","Alpena, Alpena County, Michigan","taxId",71582,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6011406,"Alpena council approves $26,342 Huron Pines contract for coastal restoration and pollinator projects",245,3275000,3520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805844-c3a8694edd3dd55eb3381396e7ad233e&start=3275&end=3520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805844-c3a8694edd3dd55eb3381396e7ad233e/thumbnail_3275000.jpg","/articles/6011406/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-council-approves-26342-Huron-Pines-contract-for-coastal-restoration-and-pollinator-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6011406-12f0058ab58988b70d99990db686d833/orig.mp4?Expires=1770565187&Signature=EM4ww09QcZ7q3gCj-EEcu8WUBySC6tA6TCINEK4kaKLgWELfghh1upHF67y~uFGpjJuJT18SSQMNXDD~XPWDBI7Fm95kp8uUbaAllZe7EIMl0mfi~SRC6TtWtlm-6StGVSFbadLsAudkXrSmkr9TDKPIr0mAqMzMvfYKLq~XqXM2vOKliRBfC-MjFWMDKzfZrgBhIRyE~fyTJQae75Il-u83YJfblhvBf45RKBIbjRCvOpKrEfjRdpsXh-qqBspJJROptwUfjIDVKkU3gqE25eLqUSs09kw4J3j7xTfWk31W0ghwXkKVfpD~WZjIKbi0~TuucGwYiJagmCZr4ok8sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpena City Council on April 21 approved a contractor agreement with Huron Pines for the Alpena Tri-Coastal Project in the amount of $26,342.42.

City Manager Rachel Smolinski presented the grant and contract materials, explaining the funds support the second phase of beach restoration at Michiquis Park and the establishment of a native pollinator garden and rain garden at Bayview Park. “The majority of the work will be coordinated with Huron Pines,” Smolinski told council, citing coordination needs and the project’s relationship to the city’s green stormwater infrastructure vision and the Lake Huron Forever pledge.

Council moved to approve the contract and authorized the city manager to sign the agreement. The motion was made by Councilman Mitchell and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Walczak; the council recorded unanimous support during the vote.

Smolinski and staff answered council questions about project locations and timing. Staff said the shoreline work will be adjacent to the area where recent dune and shoreline plantings have been established and that the pollinator and rain garden would be located in a low-lying depression near the Bayview Park volleyball courts to better manage stormwater there. Staff noted Huron Pines will coordinate planting and outreach, and the city has applied for a DNR grant to supplement the work; final grant outcomes were listed as pending in the meeting packet.

Council approved the contractor agreement by motion and authorized Smolinski to execute it on the city’s behalf. Staff said much of the on-the-ground work could proceed this summer, subject to final scheduling and permitting.","Council authorized a contract with Huron Pines to implement shoreline restoration at Michiquis Beach and establish a pollinator/rain garden at Bayview Park under an EGLE grant; city manager said most work will be coordinated with Huron Pines and referenced the city's Lake Huron Forever pledge.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6011411,"Alpena council approves new volleyball courts at Mishikiwis Park, votes to eliminate vehicle access to southern park",926,3869000,4795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805844-c3a8694edd3dd55eb3381396e7ad233e&start=3869&end=4795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805844-c3a8694edd3dd55eb3381396e7ad233e/thumbnail_3869000.jpg","/articles/6011411/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-council-approves-new-volleyball-courts-at-Mishikiwis-Park-votes-to-eliminate-vehicle-access-to-southern-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6011411-8388d9891de7e367fa6380ba70f62ad1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770565187&Signature=fYpNvFix1jT5tNv7HEPwV9DONJpn1iOwiAZpYoTrdY2dB4d5IaZ6n8HyRltoAMlc1uN049bRM6T-okVX4lLBRE43w81ho9YagUZvEWTYF2mBtNCKFziXDzB6vBS5ww8RpFJRFDe2iBDSccx0X~AwC5OtTIq8h6X8sMxE0iNX0C6VEytWEIR0RlacqwEozugwmKjHJwJNZcc2GUA-7BohJEMJtkT19DuRKLMa~~KtGelJ5jF5FpnX-JNwW2WAQ5~7aZT~INeHNJaY3RhSuaR9yfhz9cFfqXcPTZOhYYK8s-~i8L9pCTUYzBaweNXKZSRkKQ9gmrtk6G3fRli1VvXVXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alpena City Council voted Monday to build new volleyball courts at Mishikiwis Park, eliminate vehicular access to the park’s southern area and direct staff to begin planning pedestrian trails for that portion of the park.

Council’s motion, moved by Councilmember Carol Carrier and seconded by Councilman Ferrier, passed by unanimous recorded vote. The motion directs staff to proceed with construction of the courts and to develop a walking-trail plan for future council consideration.

The vote follows an extended staff presentation and public comment about the park. City Engineer Steve Schultz summarized the plan and maintenance concerns that shaped the recommendation, saying, “The volleyball courts are the primary project, which includes paving the parking lot and driveway and road access.” Schultz told council the existing southern access road sits on soils and a water table that require frequent grading and ongoing maintenance, and that building the courts in the proposed location would remove the vehicular route as currently configured.

Resident Eric Peterson raised concerns during public comment about recent tree removals at Mishikiwis, Duck Park and Bayview, saying some trees “did not need to be cut down” and urging better community communication when parks work is planned. Councilmembers referenced those community concerns during discussion and weighed them against practical maintenance and safety issues identified by staff.

Council considered two implementation approaches before voting: (1) construct the volleyball courts while retaining a temporary gravel access to the south to allow more time for evaluation, or (2) eliminate vehicular access immediately and begin planning pedestrian-only access and parking. The council chose the latter option, while directing staff to start formal trail planning so the council can review trail design, materials and accessibility options before construction.

Schultz and other staff told council they would consult the Alpena County Road Commission about parking and drive alignment and would include ADA-accessible routing options in the planning process. Councilmembers discussed surfacing options for pedestrian routes and trails; Schultz said some material choices (including stabilized wood-chip surfacing and engineered mats for beach access) would be explored as part of the trail planning.

The motion passed with no recorded no votes. The council did not set an immediate construction start date in the motion, but staff indicated the volleyball-project construction must start this season to meet grant timelines and to support the volleyball league’s schedule.

Council directed staff to return with detailed walking-trail plans and ADA considerations, bench and trailhead placement options, and a clearer schedule and cost estimate for the volleyball project and the pedestrian improvements.

The council’s action closes the existing vehicular approach to the park’s south end as vehicle access once construction begins; the area will remain accessible by foot once the pedestrian plan is implemented.","City council voted to construct new volleyball courts at Mishikiwis Park, remove vehicular access to the park's south end and direct staff to plan pedestrian trails; the decision follows resident concerns about park tree removals and maintenance challenges of the existing access road.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council receives third-quarter financial report; city remains above minimum fund-balance policy

Alpena council approves $26,342 Huron Pines contract for coastal restoration and pollinator projects

Alpena council approves new volleyball courts at Mishikiwis Park, votes to eliminate vehicle access to southern park