Alpena council authorizes $51K state grant for storm recovery
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ALPENA -- The Alpena Municipal Council on Monday authorized City Manager Rachel Smolinski to sign a $51,394 state disaster assistance agreement that will reimburse the city for eligible costs from the severe March 2026 winter storm.
Council Member Karol Walchak was excused and did not attend the meeting. Council Member Danny Mitchell made the motion to authorize the signing and any related paperwork needed to administer the grant. Council Member Bridget Hollinshead seconded the motion. The remaining members voted yes.
The money comes from Michigan's Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund under the State Disaster Assistance Program, Public Act 390 of 1976, as amended. It is administered by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. The award date is Oct. 1, and the performance period ends Sept. 30, 2028.
Smolinski told the council the funding works differently from federal aid the city received after the previous ice storm.
"This particular funding is coming through the state via Section 19 (MCL 30.419 of Michigan's Emergency Management Act). It's different than the previous ice storm, which resulted in having fewer eligible expenses that we could utilize," she said. "The prior ice storm funding was through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which allowed us to use all of our time for cleanup through the Department of Public Works."
She said the state grant covers the full cost of approved expenses.
"This will cover the entire cost of reimbursement because it's different than FEMA, which only covered 75 percent," Smolinski said.
In a memorandum dated Oct. 16, Smolinski recommended that the council authorize her to execute the Notice of Award and Funding Agreement. The document identifies the Michigan State Police division as the recipient and the city as the subrecipient.
Under the program, state funds reimburse local governments for eligible disaster costs when federal money is not available. The city must use the grant only for purposes listed in its approved application, keep records for three years, and take part in any related state audits. It cannot use the money to generate program income.
Reimbursement will be based on actual costs submitted on state form EMHSD-019. The city must first pay vendors, then submit one request with supporting documents such as invoices, receipts, overtime payroll records, and proof of payment. The state will consider adjustments only for extraordinary circumstances on already-approved work. Any construction begun without required permits is ineligible.
Penny Burger, risk reduction and recovery section manager for the Michigan State Police division, signed the state's portion of the agreement on Oct. 7. Smolinski must still sign for the city and return the completed form.
Smolinski said the March storm produced a different set of eligible costs than the earlier ice storm that qualified for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. The state grant is intended to cover expenses that did not qualify for federal reimbursement or that received only partial federal support.
With Monday's vote, the city can complete the agreement, assemble the required documentation, and request payment. The 24-month performance period gives officials time to finish any remaining recovery work and close out the award.
Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.