Summary of minutes of City Commission meeting – July 22, 2019

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, July 22, 2019, at 7:01 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Assistant Finance Director/IT Director Saladine introduced newly hired IT Specialist Travis Welsh.

Parks and Public Spaces Director Bundy introduced newly hired Parks and Grounds I employee Logan Schafer.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held July 8, 2019.

2) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held July 8, 2019.

3) Bid of Fredrickson Supply of Grand Rapids, MI for an Articulated Wheel Loader and Snow Blower Attachment and a budget amendment for the same.

4) Purchase of two Ford F-450 cab and chassis from Jorgensen Ford Sales of Detroit, MI and dump bodies from Knapheide Truck Equipment of Flint, MI through the MIDeal extended purchasing program and a budget amendment for the same.

5) Resolution approving submittal of the grant application to the Michigan Arts Council for the 2020 Paint the Intersection project as presented.

6) Warrants and Payrolls.

Adopted the Resolution Of Intent To Designate A Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ); Tentative Neighborhood Enterprise Zone; Notice of Public Hearing for August 12, 2019. (CC Ex. 1-2019)

Adopted the Resolution Regarding Intent To Designate A Commercial Redevelopment District (CRD); Notice of Public Hearing for August 12, 2019. (CC Ex. 2-2019)

Received 3-hour parking enforcement options.

Formally committed $25,000 toward the Interlocal Pathway Connector Project Area B and authorized the City Manager to finalize partnership agreements with the Charter Township of Union on this project.

Continued work session discussion on Recreational Marihuana.

Adjourned without objection at 9:48 p.m.

Topics to watch at the City Commission Meeting – July 22, 2019

Here are the topics to watch at the next Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2019 at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

Consider resolution to create Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) and Commercial Redevelopment District (CRD) for 410 W. Broadway Street and set a public hearing for August 12, 2019 on the same.
Receipt of 3-hour parking enforcement options.
Consider resolution authorizing grant submission for 2020 Paint the Intersection project with Art Reach.
Consider final confirmation of allocation of funds toward joint inter-local pathway connector between Deerfield Road and Broomfield Road.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2019/7.22.19.pdf

Summary of minutes of the City Commission meeting held July 8, 2019

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, July 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Director Lauria introduced and swore in new Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Shane Waskevich.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held June 24, 2019.

2) Bid of Bell Equipment of Lake Orion, MI for a municipal tractor and snow plow with a budget amendment.

3) Appoint IT Director/Assistant Finance Director Chris Saladine as Employer Delegate to represent the City of Mt. Pleasant at the MERS annual meeting.

4) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a public hearing and approved Resolution #5 to confirm the special assessment roll and set payment terms for Special Assessment #2-19 as presented.

Directed staff to bring back information to the Commission on market comps and market sales used to determine the assessors report regarding assessed values.

Held a public hearing and approved the resolution regarding the application by Gursky Limited, LLC for a CDBG RLF application.

Approved Amendment #3 to the Purchase and Development Agreement with Michigan Community Capital for 410 W. Broadway.

Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(h) of the Open Meetings Act to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute.

Conducted a work session discussion on recreational marijuana.

Adjourned at 10:26 p.m.

Island Park Arts Pavilion inaugural concert and ribbon cutting slated for August 5

Music lovers. Meet here. Music lovers now have a place to gather to enjoy free concerts in the park thanks to the vision of Taylor Idema, a 2019 Mt. Pleasant High School graduate. The Island Park Arts Pavilion project, in the works for four years, is the end result of Idema’s Girl Scout Gold Award Project. The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. In 2016 Idema pitched the arts pavilion idea at the United Way’s Pitch-Er event and won first place honors along with the $5,000 seed money to launch her project.

For the past few years Idema has been working with Chris Bundy, Mt. Pleasant Parks and Public Spaces Director to make her vision a reality. More than $200,000 was raised through grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% Distribution, and generous donations from the Morey Foundation, W.E. Martin Fund of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, Isabella Bank, Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant, Isabella Community Credit Union, Doug and Melissa LaBelle Family Foundation, Mercantile Bank of Michigan, City of Mt. Pleasant Parks Partnership Fund, United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties, Mt. Pleasant Jaycees, Mt. Pleasant Agency, Inc. – Central Insurance.

Idema shared, “Mt. Pleasant is an active community with many talented citizens interested in not only attending fine arts events, but performing in them as well. The Island Park Arts Pavilion provides a venue for local citizens of all ages to perform, and enjoy a myriad of events close to home.” Idema continued, “Potential pavilion events include; concerts, theater and dance performances, art exhibits, ceremonies, public speeches, holiday celebrations, auctions, reunions, weddings and more.”

The public is invited to celebrate the opening of the Island Parks Arts Pavilion on Monday, August 5, 2019. This free event will begin at 6 p.m. with a short program and ribbon cutting ceremony. At 6:30 p.m. Jim McKeith, a one-man acoustic rock band, sponsored by the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, will perform. At 7:15 p.m. the Central Michigan Area Concert Band will take to the stage to perform a full concert. Food will also be available for purchase from the Cruisin’ Chef Food Truck.

For information on how to reserve the Island Park Arts Pavilion contact the Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation Office at (989) 779-5331.

UPDATE: Medical examiner results received in suspicious death investigation

On Monday, July 1, 2019 at 10:12 a.m. a call involving an aggressive dog in a neighborhood located on Mt. Pleasant’s west side was dispatched. During the call the dog’s owner was found deceased in her home. The deceased female was identified as 24 year-old Mt. Pleasant resident, Bianca Nieto.

On Monday, July 8, 2019, Mt. Pleasant Police Department Detectives received information from the Sparrow Medical Examiner’s Office stating there were no signs of trauma resulting in the death of Nieto. A final autopsy report is pending due to toxicology and tissue lab results, which could take up to 6-8 weeks.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department and the Sparrow Medical Examiner’s Office.

Topics to watch at the City Commission meeting – July 8, 2019

Here are the topics to watch at the next Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2019 at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

-Public hearing on special assessment roll for Special Assessment District #2-2019 and consider approval of Resolution #5 for approval of the roll and setting of payment terms for the Special Assessment District.

-Public hearing on proposed application for Gursky Limited, LLC for Community Development Block Grant Revolving Loan Fund Program and consider resolution on the same.

-Consider amendment to purchase and development agreement for 410 W. Broadway Street.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2019/7.8.19.pdf

UPDATE – Suspicious death investigation

Nieto’s family was notified on Monday. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Nieto did not return phone calls or text messages from family members, and did not report to work.

There are no known health issues which would have contributed to Nieto’s death. The Michigan State Crime Lab was called in to assist due to the circumstances of the scene.

This is an open investigation pending the report from the medical examiner’s office. Mt. Pleasant Police Department Detectives will be continuing the investigation and will provide updates as they become available.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police and the MSP Crime Lab.

Mt. Pleasant Police investigating suspicious death – No risk to the public

Mt. Pleasant Police were dispatched to an animal control complaint at 10:12 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2019. During this call it was discovered that a resident of the home was deceased.

Name and specific location information are being withheld until next of kin can be contacted. The Mt. Pleasant Police, along with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, are currently investigating. There is no risk to the public.

Firework safety and regulation reminders

As Independence Day approaches, now is a good time to review firework safety tips and regulations.

City of Mt. Pleasant Fireworks Ordinance

This ordinance states a person may only discharge or use consumer fireworks on private property on the day before, the day of, and the day after a recognized holiday (July 3, 4 and 5), but not between the hours of 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. On all other days of the year, fireworks may not be discharged within the City limits.

Additionally, a minor shall not possess, ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks. Fireworks shall not be used while a person is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or during times when a burning ban has been established by the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, MI. For a list of burning restrictions by county, visit http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits/.

For those planning on discharging fireworks this July Fourth holiday, please follow the City regulations as stated above and practice these safety tips:

Read and follow all warning and instructions.
Never allow children to play with fireworks of any kind.
Wear protective clothing, including eye wear.
Only light devices on smooth, flat surfaces away from residential areas, dry leaves and flammable materials.
Always keep a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of malfunction.
Never try to re-light fireworks that have not fully functioned.

The best way to protect your family is to avoid the use of fireworks at home entirely. The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department recommends attending public fireworks displays and leaving the lighting to the professionals.