Month: August 2017

Summary of Aug. 28 City Commission meeting

The video of the Aug. 28, 2017 City Commission meeting is available here.

Below is the Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

1. Received petitions and communications.

2. Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

  • Minutes of the regular meeting and of the closed session of the City Commission held August 14, 2017
  • Resolution authorizing an amendment to the Standard Lighting Contract between the City and Consumers Energy for new LED street lighting at Mission and Preston and Mission and Bellows
  • Received proposed Ordinance to Amend Title XIII, Chapter 131, §131.04
    DISCHARGING FIREARMS OR OTHER DEVICES of the Mt. Pleasant City Code to allow
    for indoor shooting range within the City limits and set a public hearing for September 11,2017 at 7:00 p.m. on same
  • Approval of easement purchase agreement
  • Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant under Section 19 of Emergency Management Act
  • Payroll and warrants

3. Approved option to move forward with a proposed Emergency Ordinance to amend Title V, Chapter 54: STORM WATER MANAGEMENT of the Mt. Pleasant City Code to change the requirements of when compliance is required for parking lot only projects as well as authorizing waiving the $250 fee if Faith Lutheran Church decides to go to the Building Board of Appeals

4. Approved the policy and application for Boards and Commissions to provide guidance to current and future appointment committee members, as well as the public regarding the process and add a check box to the application for boards and commissions for renters within the City of Mt. Pleasant

5. Set a special meeting for Monday, October 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the 2018
Operating Budget

6. Conducted a work session on sidewalk snow removal

7. Adjourned the meeting at 9:37 p.m.

 

Mt. Pleasant Police Department statistics from start of the fall semester at Central Michigan University

This weekend, thousands of student residents arrived to the area for the start of the fall semester at Central Michigan University. The Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to several calls for service and generated a number of citations from 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27. Please see the weekend’s statistics below:

Arrested or Received Citation:

  • 8 Disorderly Conduct
  • 1 Disturbing the Peace
  • 1 Driving While License Suspended
  • 40 Minor in Possession of Alcohol
  • 3 Nuisance Party-Attending
  • 9 Nuisance Party-Hosting
  • 64 Open Intoxicants
  • 6 OWI
  • 3 Possession of Drugs
  • 11 Traffic Citations
  • 3 Warrant Arrest

Calls for Service:

  • There were 97 calls for service from 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 to 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25.
  • There were 199 calls for service from 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 to 7 a.m. on Saturday,
    Aug. 26.
  • There were 145 calls for service from 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. To 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27.

In 2014, the City of Mt. Pleasant developed a multi-year plan to address the history of violations and increasing tension among residents in the neighborhood north of Central Michigan University’s campus where owner-occupied properties and student rentals are intermingled. To decrease disruptive behavior and improve relationships between the full- and part-year residents, City officials have worked to improve partnerships with local landlords, CMU and its students, as well as enforce ordinances on a more consistent basis.

“We are proud to be home to Central Michigan University. The students are a great asset to our community and the energy and diversity they bring strengthens the City as a whole,” said Mt. Pleasant City Manager Nancy Ridley. “The students are also City residents, and all residents are expected to uphold our community standards, which include respecting your neighbors and taking care of each other to ensure Mt. Pleasant continues to be a safe and desirable place to live and visit.”

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Fire Department were assisted by the Central Michigan University Police Department, Central Michigan University Dispatch, Michigan State Police – Mt. Pleasant, and Lakeview Post, Isabella County Central Dispatch, Department of Corrections, Mobile Medical Response, Alma Police Department, Gratiot County Sheriff’s Department, Clare Police Department, Midland Police Department, and Midland County Sheriff’s Department.

FLOOD RECOVERY UPDATE: Disaster assistance and loans available for residents and businesses

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER
A Disaster Recovery Center is now open in Isabella County to help residents and businesses through the assistance process after damages and losses suffered during the severe storms and flooding that occurred from June 22 – 27, 2017.

Isabella County Disaster Recovery Center:
4855 E. Bluegrass Road
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday

ASSISTANCE AND LOANS AVAILABLE
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are at the center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

REGISTER TODAY
Residents must register with FEMA before being considered for assistance or a loan.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.

Residents and those who use 711 or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register for assistance. People who are hearing impaired can call 800-462-7585.

It is recommended that residents register before visiting the recovery center.

LEARN MORE
To learn more about individual disaster assistance from FEMA, click here.

To learn more about SBA’s low-interest disaster loans offered to homeowners, renters and businesses, click here or click on the flyers below. (Image on left is for residents; image on right is for businesses.)

Summary of Aug. 14 City Commission meeting

The video of the Aug. 14, 2017 City Commission meeting is available here.

Below is the Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

1. Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of intent from the City in support of the Mt. Pleasant Housing Commission’s grant application to HUD.

2. Received petitions and communications.

3. Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

  • Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held July 24, 2017
  • Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held August 7, 2017
  • Resolution in support of final approval of Temporary Traffic Control Order #5-2017
  • Resolution regarding grant application for new voting equipment
  • Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign a five year contract with CMU for copier leases
  • Authorize the Mayor to sign the annual delegation of School Plan Review and Inspection Authority for the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools
  • Appoint Chris Saladine as Employer Delegate and Shar Rappuhn as alternate to represent the City of Mt. Pleasant at the Municipal Employees’ Retirement system (MERS) annual meeting
  • Confirm appointment of Nancy Ridley as voting delegate for the Michigan Municipal League (MML) annual meeting on September 13, 2017
  • Payroll and warrants.

4. Authorized a contract with ATI Group of Flushing, MI for chiller repair.

5. Authorized a contract with Johnson Door and Central Vac. Systems of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the replacement of twelve garage doors at the Public Safety building and the appropriate budget amendment.

6. Approved the policy and procedure for public inspection and copying of assessment records as presented.

7. Reprioritized parks budget allocations as recommended.

8. Received the proposed policy and application for boards and commissions.

9. Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(d) of the Open Meetings Act, to discuss the possible purchase or lease of real property.

10. Conducted a work session on Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMMFLA) Ad Hoc Committee recommendation.

11. Adjourned at 9:48 p.m.

‘Super Soaker Festivus’ to take place tonight at Island Park

Untitled design (12).pngThe “Super Soaker Festivus” community water gun fight will take place tonight at Island Park. The event will officially start at 6:30 p.m., but participants may arrive beginning at 6 p.m.

Bring water blasters, soakers and cannons to this family-fun event! Large buckets of water will be available for refueling. Plus, four lucky participants will win a Super Aqua Blaster Soaker 1500!

Presented by Downtown Mt. Pleasant, Isabella Community Credit Union and WCFX, the “Super Soaker Festivus” is the final event of the City’s Thrilling Thursdays series.

For additional information, visit the event page at www.facebook.com/downtownmp or contact Special Event Coordinator Melinda Salchert at (989) 779-5349 or msalchert@mt-pleasant.org.

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

City Logo over downtown

Here are 5 things to watch at the Aug. 14 City Commission meeting.

  1. Four-way stop at intersection of Washington and Michigan: In May 2017, the intersection at Michigan and Washington streets was converted from a two-way stop to a four-way stop for a 90-day temporary time period. The City Commission will consider the recommendation to make the four-way stop a permanent traffic control order.
  2. Grant application for new voting equipment: The City Commission will consider authorizing the City Clerk to submit a grant application to the State of Michigan for new voting equipment. The grant funding covers the purchase of the new equipment, as well as the cost of maintenance and service for the first five years. The grant is part of a statewide plan to replace aging and outdated voting equipment in all cities and townships by August 2018.  If approved, the new equipment will be in place in the City of Mt. Pleasant in time for the November 2017 election. 
  3. Delegation document for school plan review: The City Commission will consider approving the annual delegation document for school plan review. This document allows City staff to provide the review and inspection for Mt. Pleasant Public School projects planned on its facilities from Oct. 1, 2017 through Sept. 30, 2018. The City’s Department of Building Safety has provided this service to the Mt. Pleasant Schools over the past few years.
  4. Parks budget amendment for flood repairs: The City Commission will consider a parks budget amendment that reprioritizes fund allocations to repair flood damage in the parks before initiating some previously planned capital projects.
  5. Boards and commissions draft policy and updated application: The City Commission will receive and review a draft of a new policy and updated application for boards and commissions. The purpose of the policy is to provide guidance to current and future appointment committee members, as well as to the public regarding the process of filling vacancies on the City’s boards and commissions.

Immediately following the regular meeting, the City Commission will hold a work session to discuss the Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMMFLA) Ad Hoc Committee recommendation.

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for August 14, 2017, click here.

Mount Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.

2017 pavement marking project to begin Monday; City parking lots downtown closed Aug. 13

City parking lots downtown Mt. Pleasant will be closed on Sunday, Aug. 13 for the application of new pavement markings. Six of these lots will be marked for additional ADA accessible parking spaces.

Between Aug. 7 and 18, pavement markings will also be repainted on 14 streets, as well as on 39 crosswalks and intersections.

Questions may be directed to Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller at msponseller@mt-pleasant.org or (989) 779-5348.

Police cars, fire trucks and more at Public Safety Night on Aug. 19

DSC_8966
Public Safety Night 2016

Area families are invited to join local public safety officers downtown Mt. Pleasant on Aug. 19 for Public Safety Night. Beginning at 6 p.m., stop by the City Hall parking lot (320 W. Broadway in Mt. Pleasant) for the following:

  • Pleasant Police Department – Patrol vehicles, Youth Services Unit Trans Am and motorcycles
  • Pleasant Fire Department – Fire engines
  • Isabella County Sheriff – Car seat compliance checks and a motorcycle safety simulator
  • Patrol Units from the police departments of Central Michigan University and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
  • Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Truck, ATV and boat
  • Mobile Medical Response (MMR) – Ambulance
  • Local township fire departments – Fire engines
  • Isabella County Central Dispatch
  • And more!

As a preview for the Movies by Moonlight showing of “Rogue 1: A Star Wars Story” at dusk that evening, Public Safety Night will also feature special guest appearances by “Star Wars” characters!

 

Outdoor film series scheduled for Saturdays in August

Over the weekend, Mt. Pleasant area families brought chairs, blankets and snacks, and settled in on the lawn outside of City Hall for the showing of “Zootopia,” the first film in this year’s Movies by Moonlight event series.

Movies by Moonlight will continue on Saturdays in August outside of City Hall (320 W. Broadway). All showings begin at 8:30 p.m. / dusk.

  • Aug. 12: “Lego Batman” (PG) Sponsored by Mercantile Bank
  • Aug. 19: “Rogue 1: A Star Wars Story” (PG-13) Sponsored by Krapohl Ford
  • Aug. 26: “Finding Dory” (PG) Sponsored by Isabella Bank

This year’s media sponsorship is provided by WCFX-FM. The “Movies by Moonlight” event was founded by City of Mt. Pleasant, Isabella Bank and Max & Emily’s Eatery.

To learn more, see the event section of the Downtown Mt. Pleasant Facebook page at www.facebook.com/downtownmp/events.