[{"_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",6429366,"mediaKeyId","5900143-396ec47c203b2596c1b3dbf11b7dc644","parentId",5900143,"title","Alpena resident urges looser hen limits, promotes victory gardens and warns about costly infrastructure projects","audioSeconds",322,"startMs",115000,"endMs",437000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5900143-396ec47c203b2596c1b3dbf11b7dc644&start=115&end=437","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5900143-396ec47c203b2596c1b3dbf11b7dc644/thumbnail_115000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6429366/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-resident-urges-looser-hen-limits-promotes-victory-gardens-and-warns-about-costly-infrastructure-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429366-fac68302cd422244e5f838c9c9309043/orig.mp4?Expires=1770799429&Signature=kltx6aAPtEsSsDOhJf0pa2iNosl71TnZr2-dInrcgB~SOuZhzcFWPAhG3uByQ42k6PoZbCkmIGfA4IqIu72iHBcVqAOEiMOxpVmVJ02qAmVpjWyn8CkmaQTUrsiwqGY~z4ekQJGZmhRlbQ9TBPqjxFfYkaj4DZE-RUrn~WGzNaRmbrDOejOe6vGzANIiLt8ZT8Pk00EhjM~AhScDkOdmv5c1zhLyyI0koMFDlDAIn4IqHXKtyyDTgE18RfgKpYMpVxjU81vRHrAlt-AarGYkQ3sDxj3O1KHO4fYPmaB0JbrmiZgRteSc9m5Yw6saA-4VIV-G~JW0MHtGHYNrqmD75w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","cityofalpena","date","2025-10-07T12:38:03Z","article","Daniel Grammer, an Alpena resident and self‑identified urban farmer, urged the City Council Oct. 6 to support home food production, contesting the city’s six‑hen limit and urging a yard‑size approach to backyard poultry rules.

“I hate lawns. I’m not a British lord. I like to eat food,” Grammer said, describing his preference for edible landscaping; he said his dandelions and plantains are part of his food supply. Grammer said the six‑hen limit in the city code feels “arbitrary” and suggested a standard tied to yard size and the owner’s ability to care for the flock. “Some people may be able to take care of 12 chickens and then excess of what they need and give them to their neighbors,” he said, calling small‑scale poultry keeping a potential community‑building practice.

Grammer also expressed concern about the timing and scale of major infrastructure projects. Drawing on his experience as a longtime contractor, he urged the city to prioritize projects based on demonstrated need and fiscal capacity instead of undertaking large, ongoing developments funded by municipal bonds. “If you’re gonna develop for a future Alpena, you don’t do it when everybody’s bankrupt,” Grammer said. He warned that heavy borrowing followed by economic strain could force higher property taxes; in the meeting transcript he described that outcome as unconstitutional in some states, which is presented here as his comment rather than a legal finding.

Grammer identified himself as speaking as a resident rather than in any official capacity. No council action on zoning or poultry limits was taken during the meeting; his remarks were recorded during the public comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alpena, MI City Council Meeting, October 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At public comment, Daniel Grammer, an Alpena resident and urban farmer, urged the city to allow more backyard chickens based on yard size, promoted home food production and warned against large municipal infrastructure projects that could raise taxes.","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},6429370,"Alpena council approves consent agenda including $1.34 million in bills, cemetery deeds and school plan delegation",752,340000,1092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5900143-396ec47c203b2596c1b3dbf11b7dc644&start=340&end=1092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5900143-396ec47c203b2596c1b3dbf11b7dc644/thumbnail_340000.jpg","/articles/6429370/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-council-approves-consent-agenda-including-134-million-in-bills-cemetery-deeds-and-school-plan-delegation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429370-4b31c91ee072f64afd4f83250af72444/orig.mp4?Expires=1770799429&Signature=URsEmkK2fsXVmfjOddNchA-YZX95Z-or7XySVwSnNzVMy29R2HPKys7zKZjfl~F8ugwe96VCeoIPnv3vI4KWSxyWzUgNhU5n-f2n0AByWOZsSbPGydkFd6FV1tKHHnvetOuxGwaQgzEvRWFtG~seKOa~SHv~bEjUG8~Ll9VIesbMVsrcc3jmlxQZC2kv0YyVSdDD3QJwUd9~3W6HvUl3CBW6c0e-aqHaSaU5bRdWCH8WXYLM7s-C-7wNgNfepcaCy1h9K~3qYil4y8GOpAQS38gD8kYJC13ze3dT7wXjcAac~CLpy4GsitCSvle2lVgKMI73rg5iokoFTTm64dzDlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpena City Council on Oct. 6 approved its consent agenda, which included payment of bills totaling $1,344,577.61, authorization of multiple cemetery deeds and delegation of school plan review and inspection authority for upcoming public school projects.

The consent agenda authorized payment of bills in the amount of $1,344,577.61 and authorized Mayor Johnson and Clerk Swope to sign related documents. The council also approved three cemetery deeds: deed number 0331 between the City of Alpena and Mark Wade for $1,510 (Block 41, Lots 259 and 260); deed number 0332 between the City of Alpena and Donald and Mary Stoschek for $755 (Block 43, Block 206); and deed number 0333 between the City of Alpena and Patrick and Yvonne Mitswicky for $755 (Block 41, Block 250). Each deed was described as for “use and purpose of a burial lot with perpetual care.”

The council additionally approved a request to delegate annual school plan review and inspection authority for upcoming public schools — listed in the materials as Ella White, Besser, Lincoln Elementary, ACES and AHS — and authorized Mayor Johnson to sign the related form. The council motion to accept the consent agenda was moved and seconded and carried on a recorded voice vote; members recorded as voting in favor included Mayor Johnson, Council member Mitchell, Mayor Pro Tem (recorded in transcript as) Tempolcek and Council member Carrier.

No separate discussion or roll‑call objections were recorded in the meeting transcript for these consent items. The items were presented as a single consent package and approved together, per standard council procedure.","Council approved the consent agenda Oct. 6, allowing $1,344,577.61 in bills, authorizing multiple cemetery deeds and delegating school plan review for specified public schools to the city.",{"_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},6429374,"Alpena council approves downtown New Year’s Eve fireworks display",833,835000,1183,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5900143-396ec47c203b2596c1b3dbf11b7dc644&start=835&end=1","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5900143-396ec47c203b2596c1b3dbf11b7dc644/thumbnail_835000.jpg","/articles/6429374/Alpena/Alpena-County/Michigan/Alpena-council-approves-downtown-New-Years-Eve-fireworks-display","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429374-d87ed55d62e3c2c33bf740a3d2d30f96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770799429&Signature=ENC0NHWArmBU63yKCQltDVvPtGveFXjr6IvTVLG5-Q-j6g7uymMrjGSleI6c6gk82zTSgPH8gGGvZlOSGvYvKTJh55MY7FGuvOQhdGzD1d~gjdvrcaMciTlGBAd0VnsCsUFNL06EwKTkeAfPzmuxuRyiCpd0~ruVHInsWpOtA7FeJhzz1KDtgm3stkCJqFAeDReACXIy-~cJUIrAfR5ZhrookaBakEPdth6fv6tshPwvN60raYqccAoNoQMYKM7BsbkfxBPJu5yWCEWN-wHzSyvCn4GyA8TKv~-572tyPpl3LUgDDc8FCjxz0YwWoOOy2r3y8y~TivLkAaUgzn9rMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpena City Council on Oct. 6 authorized a Downtown Development Authority contract for a New Year’s Eve fireworks display and directed the mayor to sign the event permit.

Jen Pria, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, told the council the DDA recommended approving a contract with Small Town Saturday Night Fireworks LLC for what Pria described as the company’s “minimum show,” a $5,000 package that would provide about five minutes of fireworks. Pria said a property owner along the riverfront has given permission to use vacant land between the depot and the Fletcher Street paper mill as the shooting site and that city police and fire had no safety concerns about that location.

The DDA secured sponsorship funds from two downtown businesses and listed HBC Credit Union as a sponsor of last year’s downtown New Year’s event. Pria said the DDA would sign any required hold‑harmless and indemnification agreement for the firing site and asked the council to authorize Mayor Johnson to sign the required city permit. “Their minimum show is $5,000, which would provide a 5‑minute display,” Pria said.

Council members moved and seconded a motion to approve the display as proposed and to authorize Mayor Johnson to sign the permit. The motion passed; members recorded as voting in favor included Mayor Johnson, Council member Mitchell, Mayor Pro Tem Walczak and Council member Hamilton. Council discussion on the item was limited to logistical clarifications; Pria said the DDA had provided the permit application, contract, the proposed firing location and a certificate of insurance.

The council and Pria said the display is intended to draw people downtown as part of the DDA’s planned New Year’s Eve activities. Pria said the DDA will work with police, fire and public works on final safety and traffic arrangements and that the DDA would ensure the contract references the DDA (not the city) as the contracting client where required.

No public safety objections were raised during the meeting. The council did not set a fireworks budget beyond the vendor’s minimum and relied on the DDA’s sponsorships to cover the cost.","The Downtown Development Authority will contract a five‑minute fireworks show downtown for New Year’s Eve; council authorized the mayor to sign the permit and the DDA to sign indemnification paperwork after sponsors agreed to cover the cost.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alpena resident urges looser hen limits, promotes victory gardens and warns about costly infrastructure projects

Alpena council approves consent agenda including $1.34 million in bills, cemetery deeds and school plan delegation

Alpena council approves downtown New Year’s Eve fireworks display