Christmas Tree Collection

The City of Mt. Pleasant Street Department staff will be picking up discarded Christmas trees from City residents on January 7, 10, 14 and 17, 2020. This service is free of charge.

Trees are to be placed at the curb, even in areas where normal trash collection is in the alley by 7:30 a.m. on January 17. All tinsel and plastic bags must be removed, and the trunk ends of the trees to face the street. Evergreen wreaths will not be collected. After January 17 trees may be taken to the Materials Recovery Facility or disposed of through the City’s brush chipping program. Questions? Call 989-779-5401.

Summary of Minutes of the City Commission Meeting – December 9, 2019

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 9, 2019, at 7:02 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Parks and Public Spaces Director Bundy introduced newly hired Parks and Grounds staff Cody Anderson and Lisa Meyers.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held November 25, 2019.

2) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held November 25, 2019.

3) Bid of F & K Tree Service, of Mt. Pleasant, MI for the 2020 and 2021 Tree Trimming and Removal project.

4) Resolution for Final Amended 2019 Operating Budget.

5) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an addendum to the existing farming contract at former Mt. Pleasant Center property with Robert Ervin for an additional one year.

6) Set first meeting of 2020 for Monday, January 13, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, City of Mt. Pleasant, 320 W. Broadway Street, Mt. Pleasant.

7) Warrants and Payrolls.

Received report on review of medical marihuana ordinances. No action required by the Commission.

Approved Resolution approving the 2020 Annual Operating Budget and setting millage rate.

Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the sanitary sewer service contract with Nottawa Township as presented.

Authorized the Mayor or City Clerk to sign the amended Memorandum of Agreement with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe for the former Mt. Pleasant Center Property as presented.

Approved a wage increase to base salary for the City Manager.

Cancelled the December 16, 2019 regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.

Authorized Finance Director Kornexl to approve the issuance of payrolls and warrants from December 10, 2019 through January 10, 2020.

Adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.

Refuse and Recycling Reminders

During the holidays trash and recyclable materials can accumulate quickly. Below are tips to insure your trash and recycling are collected.

All cardboard must be flattened.
Large boxes must be cut into sections no larger than 2’ x 3’. If the cardboard is too stiff or difficult to cut up, you may drop them off at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), 4208 E. River Road, at no charge.
Styrofoam cannot be collected at curbside. Formed Styrofoam, from a new TV or large appliance, may be dropped off at the MRF. Packing peanuts are not accepted; consider saving them for shipping next year’s presents or use them to protect delicate ornaments and other decorations.
Plastic packaging, such as cellophane “windows” on toy packaging, should be discarded in your trash.
Holiday parties are enjoyable, but the extra trash can really pile up. Please do not overfill your trash can. If your trash can has a lid, it must fit securely. All extra trash should be placed in a City refuse bag or tagged with a City refuse tag.
Need to dispose of old furniture or other large items? Large item stickers are available for purchase for $15 each at City Hall.
Please place trash and recycling in the designated collection area no later than 7:30 a.m. on collection day.

If you have questions, please contact the Division of Public Works at (989) 779-5401. Thank you for your cooperation, and have a wonderful holiday season.

Topics to Watch at the City Commission Meeting – December 9, 2019

Here are the topics to watch at the next Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2019.

-Receipt of report on review of medical marijuana ordinances.

-Consider resolution approving the final 2020 Operating Budget and set the millage rate for 2020.

-Consider resolution approving the final amended 2019 Operating Budget.

-Consider approval of agreement with Nottawa Township for processing wastewater.

-Consider amended Memorandum of Agreement for MPIIBS/MPC property.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access 12.9.19.pdf

Innovation and resourcefulness leads to DPS building gear dryer

At the Division of Public Safety (DPS) commitment to safety is not only the focus of service calls, but is embedded in all they do. This philosophy is bolstered by their innovative thinking and resourcefulness. The latest example is the in-house construction of a state-of-the art turnout gear dryer for its firefighters.

After last year’s significant $11,000 investment in a turnout gear washer, Director Paul Lauria and Fire Chief Rick Beltinck began researching turnout gear dryers. They became aware that self-constructed dryers made out of PVC pipes were much more economical and rivaled their commercial counterparts which cost upwards of $10,000 – $15,000.

Lauria and Beltinck shared a picture of a completed PVC dryer with the department’s fire sergeants. Fire Sergeant Rich Clark refined the design and distributed it to all Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) shifts for suggestions. All full-time firefighters worked on the construction of the dryer with Shift 3 (Fire Sergeant Rich Clark, Equipment Operator Roger Fuller, Equipment Operator Bernie Schafer) taking the lead. After one month the dryer was completed.

The MPFD dryer possesses a capacity to dry 10-11 sets of gear at a time, whereas commercial dryers generally can handle only four sets at once. The total cost of the MPFD dryer was only $2,500 which included the PVC pipe, fittings and blower which is significantly lower than the $10,000 – $15,000 cost of a commercial dryer. Since the average cost of turnout gear is $3,000 per set, this limits the number of spare sets of turnout gear available. Therefore, it is imperative gear is quickly dried and ready for the next call.

Turnout gear collects chemicals/hazardous materials which can cause a higher rate of cancer if not cleaned properly. These hazardous materials are byproducts of combustion from a fire. The full-time firefighters were dedicated and pleased to be able to build this gear dryer for their Paid-On-Call Firefighters as it is these first responders who enter structure fires.

Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration – Downtown Road Closures and Parade Safety Information

In preparation for the 26^th Annual Christmas Celebration, the following downtown streets will be closed at various times on December 6 and December 7, 2019.

Friday, December 6, 2019

3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting and Sing-Along

Main Street will be closed north of the Broadway Street intersection to parking lot #2 (Jockey Alley).

Saturday, December 7, 2019

6:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 5K and 5 Mile Run

Broadway Street will be closed from Court Street to Main Street.

12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Lighted Parade

Main Street between Illinois and Mosher.

Broadway Street between Main and Lansing.

4:00 – 8:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Lighted Parade

Main Street from Cherry to Illinois.

Cars left on the street on Saturday will be subject to towing. Please seek alternate routes during these time frames.

The lighted parade, which begins at 6:00 p.m., starts at the First United Methodist Church, travels north on Main Street, east on Broadway Street, south on Lansing Street, and west on Illinois Street as it returns to the First United Methodist Church.

PARADE SAFETY NOTE: For the safety of parade-goers and parade participants; please do not venture out into the street during the parade. Stay on the sidewalk during the entire duration of the parade.

Summary of Minutes of the City Commission Meeting – November 25, 2019

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, November 25, 2019, at 7:01 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

CMU President Robert Davies gave a presentation on the status of Central Michigan University and its relationship with the City of Mt. Pleasant.

City Engineer Stacie Tewari gave a presentation on the Engineering Department.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held November 11, 2019.

2) Resolutions in support of Traffic Control Orders 4-2019, 5-2019, 6-2019 and 7-2019.

3) Bid of Shults Equipment of Ithaca, MI for the purchase and installation of plow truck equipment and lighting for two trucks.

4) Bids for 2020 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant treatment (bulk) chemicals.

5) Contract with Ferguson Waterworks of Grand Rapids, MI, for 2020 water meter purchase.

6) Resolution in support of recommended Application Fee for Temporary Marihuana events.

7) Resolutions in support of recommended rates, fees and charges.

8) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a public hearing and approved the Resolution Naming Softball Field #1 at Island Park Kaye Bouck Field.

Approved Resolution in support of recommended rates, fees and charges for Solid Waste – Recycling.

Postponed discussion on fees for Solid Waste – Christmas Tree Disposal.

Authorized the Mayor or City Manager to sign any documents required by EGLE for the grant funds associated with the 410 W. Broadway project.

Approved and conducted closed session pursuant to subsection 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act, to consider a periodic personnel evaluation of a City employee as requested by that employee.

Approved a third leaf pickup this year starting December 3rd.

Conducted a work session discussion on 2020 Operating Budget and affordable housing requests being received by the City.

Adjourned the meeting at 10:42 p.m.