Summary of Minutes of City Commission Meeting – October 28, 2019

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, October 28, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held October 14, 2019.

2) Authorized Finance Director Mary Ann Kornexl to sign a contract with Tokio Marine HCC for health insurance stop loss coverage.

3) Resolution in support of Traffic Control Order No. 3-2019.

4) Received proposed Ordinance to amend Chapter 133: Fireworks to comply with State law and set a public hearing for November 11, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. on same.

5) 2019 budget adjustment to allow for a one-time payment to MERS.

6) Warrants and Payrolls.

Postponed action on environmental consulting services until next meeting to receive maps of drill holes and boundaries of landfill; justification for drilling holes in capped landfill; assurance that drilling will not cause future problems; and confirmation of the information regarding if aquifer and/or river is being contaminated.

Approved the resolution recognizing the importance of the 2020 Census as presented.

Approved amendment of the prior approval to include the purchase of two self-unloading trailers with compartments from Pro-Tainer and an additional budget amendment.

Confirmed the purchase of 800 tons of road salt for early delivery and the appropriate budget amendments.

Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(e) of the Open Meetings Act to consult with counsel regarding pending litigation Fisher Transportation Company et al v. Union Township et al.

Requested the City Manager investigate the sewer connection situation in the alley between Fancher and Kinney and Locust and Wisconsin and, if appropriate, grant an exception on the sewer connection as per the Code of Ordinances, Section 51.040 and the City Manager will provide a report back to the City Commission including the basis of the decision.

Authorized the City Attorney to execute the consent to vacate part of the recorded plat in regard to the Fisher Transportation Company, et al v. Union Township, et al lawsuit.

Conducted a work session discussion on the 2020 Operating Budget.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:56 p.m.

Topics to watch at the City Commission meeting – October 28, 2019

Here are the topics to watch at the next Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2019 at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

Consider contract for environmental consulting services
Consider resolution in support of the 2020 Census.
Consider amendment to prior approval for the purchase of self-unloading trailers and appropriate budget amendment for the same.
Receive an ordinance amendment to Chapter 133: Fireworks to comply with state law and set a public hearing for November 11

To view the entire meeting packet visit: http://bit.ly/MtPMeetingAgenda

UM-Dearborn’s iLabs’ eCities research recognizes City of Mt. Pleasant for supporting business in their community

The City of Mt. Pleasant has been recognized for its successes and efforts in contributing to Michigan’s entrepreneurial growth and economic development in the annual eCities study conducted by researchers at iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research. Mt. Pleasant was honored as a four-star community along with 178 other communities across the state. This is the fifth time the City has been recognized by UM-Dearborn.

According to City Manager Nancy Ridley, “Mt. Pleasant receiving this recognition is evidence that our community continues to make comprehensive improvements. The Redevelopment Ready Community certification process provides the City an opportunity to review and continually improve upon our current policies and processes.” Ridley continued, “The increased level of investment to our commercial corridors is a result of this commitment by both our public and private leaders, alike.”

The eCities study analyzed publicly available data from 277 communities from 54 counties in Michigan. Researchers focused on the five-year changes in property values, community assets, and tax rates, which can demonstrate the growth, investments and cost of doing business within the community. For example, over the five-year period of 2014-2018, these communities increased their capital assets by an average of 2.25 percent per year by investments such as road and parking structure improvements, water main and streetscape upgrades, as well as police, fire, and computer equipment, while property tax rates increased by less than 1 percent on average per year.

“While accounting for only about 15 percent of the cities and townships in Michigan, the 277 communities analyzed are home to 70 percent of the population and 85 percent of the state’s commercial property,” said Tim Davis, the College of Business’ assistant dean for student engagement and success. “By analyzing these high-performing communities, our goal is to showcase what cities and townships are doing to spur growth and how we can continue to support their efforts in developing business and encouraging entrepreneurs.”

Summary of minutes of City Commission meeting – October 14, 2019

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, October 14, 2019, at 7:02 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Mayor Joseph read and presented a proclamation to Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council Members recognizing “Indigenous Peoples Day – October 14, 2019.”

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held September 23, 2019.

2) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held September 23, 2019.

3) Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held September 30, 2019.

4) Received proposed Ordinance to add a new Subsection 154.410.B.4.b and to amend table 154.410.A of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to regulate marihuana establishments as special uses and set a public hearing for Monday, November 11, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, 320 W. Broadway Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

5) Fireworks display on Saturday, December 7, 2019 and authorized Public Safety Director Paul Lauria to represent the City in the State of Michigan application process for a pyrotechnic display.

6) Appointment of Mayor William Joseph to the Study Committee for Recreation Authority.

7) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a Public Hearing and approved the resolution approving the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Certificate for the property at 410 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for Michigan Community Capital as presented. (CC Exh 12-2019)

Held a Public Hearing and approved the Resolution approving the Commercial Facility Exemption Certificate at 410 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for Michigan Community Capital as presented. (CC Exh 13-2019)

Held a Public Hearing and passed Ordinance 1049, an Ordinance to amend the zoning map of Chapter 154: ZONING ORDINANCE of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Pleasant to rezone McGuirk Subdivision, Lots 1-10 from CD-3 to CD-4, with a Residential/Dwelling Use Only Special Requirement.

Held a Public Hearing and passed Ordinance 1050, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 154: ZONING ORDINANCE, Section 154.411.C, Trash Receptacle Requirement of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Pleasant to regulate recycling receptacle requirements.

Held a Public Hearing and passed Ordinance 1051, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 154: ZONING ORDINANCE, Section 154.412, Parking, Loading, Driveway, Service, Storage, Drive Through, Trash Receptacle/Dumpster, Equipment, & Other Items Locations & Standards of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Pleasant to permit stacked parking where parking areas are accessed only by a rear alley or rear lane and also a limited amount of stacked parking (up to 5 spaces) associated with a House that is used for a non-residential or mixed-use purpose.

Held a Public Hearing and passed Ordinance 1052, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 154: ZONING ORDINANCE, Table 154.405.A, District Standards of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Pleasant to modify standards for fences and walls, roofs, and driveways in the CD-3L (Sub-Urban Large Lot) and CD-3 (Sub-Urban) districts.

Approved the program guidelines for the Make It Mt. Pleasant program and authorized the Mayor to sign the agreement with Lake Trust Credit Union with amendment adding language that Economic Initiative Funds would cover the fees for permits that can be waived according to the policy out of that fund.

Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the time of use contracts with Consumers Energy for the Water Treatment Plant and the facilities at 1775 E. Broomfield Road as presented.

Held a work session discussion on the 2020 Operating Budget.

Adjourned at 10:05 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department to host first Fair and Impartial Policing Training Session for Community Members

As one component of a multi-faceted plan to promote impartial policing, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department provides its personnel with Fair and Impartial Policing (FIP) training. This state-of-the art instruction is based on the modern science of bias; recognizing that all individuals, and even well-intentioned individuals, have implicit biases which impact perceptions and behavior.

Stemming from a request from Mt. Pleasant’s Director of Public Safety, Paul Lauria, a FIP Training Session was designed specifically for community members. During this inaugural session, community members will (a) learn about the science of implicit bias and the training that the agency is providing to its personnel, (b) reflect on how implicit bias can impact police personnel and individuals in every walk of life, and (c) discuss skills that police and others can use to reduce and manage biases. During the interactive session participants will also learn about the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s comprehensive efforts to promote fair and impartial policing.

Facilitator: FIP Master Instructor Mary Hoerig, Inspector of Police (ret.)

Mary Hoerig was a member of the Milwaukee Police Department for 25 years, and retired in 2016 as an Inspector (Deputy Chief). She served in many areas, most notably in Criminal Investigations, Internal Affairs, and Strategic Analysis. Hoerig received her BA in Criminal Justice Management from Concordia University. She is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety (Police Staff and Command) and PERF’s Senior Management Institute of Police. Hoerig studied Law Enforcement Leadership at Marquette University and received her Master of Business (MBA) from Alverno College. Hoerig is a Master Instructor with the International Association of Chiefs of Police-Women’s Leadership, and former Instructor for the University of Illinois-Chicago in Procedural Justice.

This training is free and open to the public. The session is slated for November 14, from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety Building. Limited seating is available. To register, contact Christy Dush at cdush@mt-pleasant.org or (989) 779-5148 by November 1, 2019.

Topics to watch at the City Commission meeting – October 14, 2019

Here are the topics to watch at the next Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019 at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

Presentation by McKenna & Associates on the 2050 Master Plan.
Public hearing on an application for a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) certificate and Commercial Facility Exemption Certificate for the property at 410 W. Broadway and consider approval of the same.
Public hearing on recommended rezoning request for McGuirk Subdivision.
Public hearings on various recommended text changes from the Planning Commission.
Receive recommended ordinance to add a new subsection 154.410.B.4.b and to amend table 154.410.A of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinances to regulate marihuana establishments as special uses and set a public hearing for November 11, 2019 on the same.
Consider approval of Make it Mt. Pleasant program information (downtown rent subsidy program) and agreement with Lake Trust Credit Union.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: http://www.mtpleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2019/10.14.19.pdf

Public presentations of City of Mt. Pleasant’s 2050 Master Plan draft scheduled

The City will present the draft 2050 Master Plan to the public during a series of meetings held in October. The draft plan can be viewed online at www.mtpleasant2050.com.

On Thursday, October 3, project consultant, McKenna & Associates will present the plan to the Downtown Development Authority at 10 a.m., the Parks and Recreation Commission at 6 p.m., and the Planning Commission at 7 p.m.

On Monday, October 14, McKenna & Associates will present the plan to the City Commission at 7 p.m.

All presentations will take place at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street. The Planning Commission and City Commission presentations will air on Channel 188 and will stream live on the City’s YouTube page.

In April 2019, hundreds of community members participated in formal and informal activities hosted by the City of Mt. Pleasant and McKenna & Associates. During this four-day event participants shared their vision for Mt. Pleasant in the year 2050. Hundreds of additional stakeholders also participated by completing online surveys, which further refined the vision.

“The bold vision established by this plan reflects the valuable input the community provided on Mt. Pleasant’s strengths and opportunities,” said Mt. Pleasant City Planner Jacob Kain. “The hundreds of individuals who took part in this process set the direction and momentum which has ultimately shaped the draft plan. We are excited to take the next step in the planning process by introducing the draft plan to the community.”

The draft plan establishes goals and objectives organized into the following themes: Sustainable Land Use, Connected Mobility Systems, Focused Redevelopment, Exceptional Parks and Public Spaces, and Innovative Services and Aspirations.

The formal adoption of the plan is expected to occur in 2020.

Recreational (adult-use) Marihuana Information

Under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA), it is legal for adults, 21 years of age or older, to grow, possess and use marihuana within certain limitations. This act also creates a commercial market for recreational (adult-use) marihuana. Local regulations related to the commercial market for recreational marihuana were adopted by the City Commission (City Commission Approved Marihuana Establishments Ordinance). A citizen initiative ordinance has also been approved for the November 5, 2019 ballot (Citizen Initiative Recreational Marihuana Establishments Ordinance).

A timeline and detailed information about the two ordinances are described below in the document below.

Recreational Marihuana Background Flyer